Homs said, "People say it is an internal issue, and that it's a mistake to treat it internationally, but Rajoy cannot seem to stop talking about it in his public appearances".
Catalan Government praises the international community for its silence on Catalonia
Despite Spanish pressure
The Catalan Government Spokesperson, Francesc Homs, stated ironically that, if the Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is talking about Catalonia's situation in front of the US President, Barack Obama, it "must be the most international domestic political issue in the whole wide world". Francesc Homs praised the international community for its silence on the Catalan issue, given the likely "pressure" it's received from Spain to voice its disapproval.
Thirty Spanish intellectuals have presented a manifesto titled 'Make a Move: Convert your indignation into political change' (pdf, ES) in which they propose a leftist unitary candidacy for European Parliament elections in May.
Roberto Maroni is not welcome in Catalonia
In Catalonia we are doing our best to keep Europe from falling into the dark pit into which the Lega would like to drag us all.
Spain's Justice Minister warns Catalonia
"The referendum will be contested as soon as it is convoked,' said Gallardón
The Justice Minister said he would not allow 'any political or legal act against the Constitution, in any shape or form'.
Catalan Theater's 'carrot rebellion' to be discussed at New York City conference
They sold carrots instead of tickets to protest high VAT rate
The managers of the Bescanó Theater will discuss peculiar protest against the Spanish Government's VAT increase on cultural products during the Congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts in New York City today.
'Photography Nobel' laureate Fontcuberta on show in Paris
Joan Fontcuberta's show opens January 15 at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie
Ulster Unionism is on defensive over Scotland
Nationalists and unionists alike wonder if Scottish independence could have a domino effect.
Question asked by Spanish reporter at minute 29:
What are some of the risks (for continued growth), and would you include the danger of secessionist movements in some countries among them? Rajoy's answer at 30:50, followed by translation. Obama replies at 33:44.
Obama avoids question on Catalan independence
The US President met with Spanish PM Rajoy Monday in the Oval Office - Rajoy said independence was 'not going to happen'
The president of the United States, Barack Obama, yesterday avoided responding to a question about whether Catalonia's independence could be considered a 'risk' for continuing economic growth in Europe. In a joint press conference with the Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, the US president evaded a reporter's question (in Spanish) on the topic and focused on the economic situation.
'If Spain shutters Catalan Parliament, that will mean we've already won'
Oriol Junqueras, President of ERC (Republican Left of Catalonia) interviewed on #Catalan Talk
Junqueras' ERC party--founded in 1931--is currently the second largest force in the Catalan Parliament, holding 21 seats out of 135. It has steadfastly supported the CiU coalition (50 seats) since the two signed the Governability Pact of 2012.
Dissenters within PSC keep negotiating for party abstention in referendum vote
They will defend their position in a parliamentary group meeting tomorrow
Our World in 2014 is a special edition of New Europe, a Brussels-based think tank
Brussels think tank features op-ed by Catalan President
Mas explains reasoning behind demands for right of Catalan people to vote in independence referendum
'Catalonia moves to a vote' is the title of the op-ed written by Catalan President Artur Mas and published this Monday on page 21 of 'Our World in 2014' a special edition from prestigious Brussels-based think tank, New Europe.
Record 35.2 million passengers at Barcelona El Prat Airport in 2013
Girona had fewer passengers; Reus more.
New study says Mediterranean diet reduces risk of diabetes by 40%
Catalan-led research project involved 3500 people and 18 research centers through the Spanish State
The campaign collected so many signatures in the Gràcia neighborhood (above) that they ran out of forms.
Thousands sign 'right to petition' in order to vote on independence
VIDEO Xavier Muñoz of the Catalan National Assembly explains campaign
The campaign's objective is to ask the Parliament to call a referendum on independence and, in the event that that is not possible because the Spanish State prohibits it, that independence be declared unilaterally in accord with international law. The ANC says the campaign was a much bigger success than they expected.
Huge crowds fill Bilbao in a show of strength for Basque nationalism
Police estimated 130,000 people marched in favor of a change in inmate policy
A huge march, one of the most well-attended ever recorded in the Basque Country, attracted thousands of demonstrators in a unitary mobilization called by PNB, Sortu, EA, Aralar, Alternatiba, as well as Geroa Bai and the ELA and LAB unions.
Catalan Govt demands payment of Spanish Govt debt
Spanish Gov owes Catalonia more than 2 billion euros in back payments for lack of infrastructure investment
Barcelona (ACN). The Catalan Government will file several formal demands for payment of the €2.02 billion the Spanish Government legally owes Catalonia from the period comprising 2008-2011. The money represents 1% of Catalonia’s GDP and 7% of the Catalan Government’s annual budget.
Huw Evans: 'The constitution can't overrule democracy'
Interview with author of the report 'Law and Legitimacy: The denial of the Catalan Voice'
'People don't want to pay for books, conferences, classes...'
Bestselling feminist novelist Gemma Lienas has opened up a chocolate shop in face of book crisis
Spectacular view of Mallorca from Barcelona
Mallorca is about 200 miles from Barcelona, as the sea gull flies
At dawn on the morning of January 6, clear, calm skies made it possible to see the Tramuntana range in Mallorca all the way from the Fabra Observatory in the hills above Barcelona, a distance of about 200 miles.
Catalan Websites in English
Americans for Catalonia
(on Facebook)
Catalan National Assembly
The grassroots movement behind the pro-independence movement
Catalans UK
on Facebook
CCN
Catalan Business Circle
El Clauer
Keys to the independence of Catalonia
Col·lectiu Emma
Explaining Catalonia
Public Diplomacy Council of Catalonia
Reagrupament, International edition
This is Catalonia
on Pinterest
Wilson Initiative
Catalan american Scholars supporting independence
Upcoming #CatalanTalk interviews
International Press
EU Observer
Catalonia urges EU leaders to endorse 'legal' referendum
The Independent
Catalonia seeks support from EU for independence
Libération
Espagne : la Catalogne prend le large
BBC
'Joke' tweet about Catalan independence sparks furore
Financial Times
Catalan leaders set date for vote on independence
La Repubblica
Mas: "Così libererò la Catalogna da Madrid"
NBC
Sporting Kansas City's Oriol Rosell recalled by Catalonia national team
Clarín
Cataluña lanza un referéndum por la independencia y Rajoy lo rechaza
Channel News Asia
Catalonia sets Nov 2014 date for independence
Russia Today
Spain 'won't have enough tanks': Catalonia to vote on independence, defy Madrid
Al Jazeera
Spain rejects Catalonia referendum bid
Publico
Catalunha impede corte de energia a famílias pobres no Inverno
French study asks whether EU would expel Catalonia
'Politique Étrangère' published a study carried out by the former chief of staff of the French Minister of European Affairs
The debate about what might happen after independence is declared in Scotland or Catalonia rages on. The latest installment comes in the form of an article by Yves Gounin in 'Politique Étrangère', a prestigious French journal.
Exclusive English translation of Gemma Lienas short story
Lienas was interviewed on #CatalanTalk on Thursday.
Gemma Lienas is a bestselling novelist, feminist, and has recently opened the Xocolatíssim chocolate shop in the Gràcia neighborhood of Barcelona.
Messi is back after 58 days
Barça wins 4-0 over Getafe with the Argentinian scoring two goals in the last four minutes of the game
Albert Villaró wins the Josep Pla prize
Villaró's novel offers an alternate history of the events that occurred in October, 1934
'Els ambaixadors', by Albert Villaró, won the prestigious 46th Josep Pla Prize, awarded by Destino. It is a spy thriller which imagines a different outcome to Companys' declaration of a Catalan Republic.
Catalan TV3 under fire in Wall Street Journal
Carles Boix, Professor at Princeton University, refutes Wall Street Journal's claims of partisanship at Catalan Public TV3
Last week, the 'Wall Street Journal' published a blistering critique of Catalan Public Television broadcaster TV3, accusing it of bias, and even racism. Professor Carles Boix sent a reply to the paper which we reproduce here, with permission.
Montjuïc's Magic Fountain on hiatus for one month for maintenance
Its musical and colourful display will resume on February 7th
Three Dalí museums post record visitor numbers
1,580,517 visited the three Dalí museums in northeastern Catalonia in 2013
In the press conference held January 7 in the Palau de la Generalitat, the President enumerated four general areas -- economy/job creation, transparency, social programs, and referendum -- and seven specific goals.
'This time the decision has to be up to the people of Catalonia. Because it is their future that is in play.'
Catalan President Artur Mas says the government is stable, no changes are planned for the near future, the budget will be presented soon, and he is committed to convoking a referendum on independence for November 9, 2014.
"We have a democratic mandate to hold this referendum. Indeed, we are obligated to fulfill this mandate."
Members of the Scottish Labour Party begin to campaign for a Yes vote
Labour for Independence plans to hold a series of events in Scotland's principal cities
Some leaders and members of the Scottish Labour Party have begun to campaign for a Yes vote in the independence referendum through the group Labour for Independence.
A Monarchy in Ruins
Only fanatics can keep believing that the Spanish monarchy still makes sense and is useful in political terms.
'Royal scandal in Spain' - international coverage of Princess' legal trouble
Spain's Princess Cristina de Borbó was charged with money laundering and tax fraud.
Shortly after announcing the new charges against the Spanish princess Cristina de Borbó in the Noos case, the international media began to highlight the news on their front pages. We offer you a a list of the articles published so far in the foreign press.
Judge indicts Spain's Princess Cristina for money laundering and tax crimes
José Castro has called for her to testify on March 8th in Palma (Mallorca, Balearic Islands)
Judge José Castro has decided to prosecute Princess Cristina of Bourbon once again on corruption charges. He called her to testify on March 8 at 10am in Palma (Mallorca, Balearic Islands) so that she can answer charges of money laundering and tax crimes.
Straight from the source--in English
It's time we offered information about Catalonia straight from the source, in a language that the whole world understands: English
Library-bus to exile
by Quim Torra
Most of the people traveling had taken refuge in the country house and the brutal impact of what they saw could never be forgotten.
Teachers in the Balearic Islands go back on strike
The Assemblea de Docents [Educators Assembly] denounce death threats received by some strikers
The teachers had announced already that the disciplinary action filed against the director of the Marratxí High School, Jaume March, would not go unanswered. The special Assemblea Docents that took place before Christmas in Petra agreed to go back on strike today.
Warm reception for VilaWeb's English edition
Prominent Catalans like Muriel Casals, Carme Forcadell, Carles Boix, and Toni Soler welcome the appearance of the online news source's global edition
The launch of VilaWeb's English edition last week -- VilaWeb - News from Catalonia -- has garnered many messages of support and of welcome over the past few days.
Never-seen-before panoramic views of Barcelona
Visitors now have access to the rooftop of the MNAC museum at the Palau Nacional
A sign on the door explains that Joguines Monforte is closing its doors after 173 years in business
Moratorium ending on rent control, many small businesses closing
Fourth-generation owners of Joguines Monforte close the doors on last day before Three Kings holiday.
The closure of hundred-year-old businesses shows no sign of slowing. Today, the night before Three Kings, is the last day that Joguines Monforte will be open, a toy store that has been doing business in Plaça Sant Josep Oriol in Barcelona for the last 173 years. As in many of the cases, the owners cannot survive the increase in rent and have to shutter their doors forever.
Twitter campaign rejects racist comments
Racist tweet by far right PxC leader Josep Anglada is roundly rejected with new hashtag #socunnoucatala [I am a new Catalan]
Ten reasons why Catalonia will be independent
Former MP from Socialists' Party of Catalonia, José Antonio Donaire, published his list on his blog.
The former member of the Socialists' Party of Catalonia and ex-councilor from Sant Feliu de Guíxols, José Antonio Donaire (Twitter), published a list on his blog in which he explains why Catalonia will become independent.
Donaire, who quit the party less than a year ago, gives ten reasons that lead him to believe that independence is inevitable.
Unemployment drops throughout Catalan countries
There are now 1,263,477 people on the rolls, fifty thousand less than a year ago
The role of the Socialists
The initials (PSC) are against us because they have been hijacked. But each day there are more Socialists who side with the majority.
Number of Catalan speakers rising despite adverse circumstances
In the European Union, Catalan is ranked 16th in number of speakers
The number of Catalan speakers has exceeded the 10 million people mark, according to the latest report. This means that 72.4% of the population now speak the language in the various areas of the Catalan countries.
Additional Catalan Police officers indicted for arrestee's death
8 police officers and 2 paramedics indicted due to the death of Yassir El Younoussi
Eight officers of the Catalan Police Force and two paramedics of the Catalan Emergency Services (SEM) have been indicted, following the death of a man in custody.
Spokesperson says Barroso will respond when he receives Mas' letter
The Catalan Government says some heads-of-state have already responded
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durao Barroso, says that he has not yet received Artur Mas' letter, according to a statement by his spokesperson, but he added that as soon as he receives it, he will write a letter in response.
Referendum analyzed in international studies journals
World Affairs Journal and Politique Étrangère both signal that the Catalan situation will be one of the key events in the world this year
Two prestigious journals that analyze international relations have both?in their first issues of the year?remarked upon the Catalan referendum as one of the major events of 2014. Both publications paint a very rosy picture.
'Organization was similar to an Olympic Games, but without stadiums'
Civit was interviewed on Twitter via #CatalanTalk
TV presenter Jordi Évole calls for support for Valencia metro victims
Seven years and six months after accident, protesters still meet every 3rd of the month to protest inaction
Two Catalans to lead New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre
Joan Massagué take office at the leading cancer research centre in the world
Doctor Joan Massagué has been appointed Scientific Director of the Sloan-Kettering Institute in New York , the leading cancer research centre in the world, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centre.
New Year's Tweets, by language and time zone
Infographic uses Big Data analysis to show the language and time zone of New Year's greetings
The journalist Albert Cuesta discovered an interactive chart created by Krist Wongsuphasawat from Thailand, in which New Year's greetings that appeared on Twitter are organized into some 30 languages, according to time zones.
Almirall buys US Aqua Pharmaceuticals for $328 million
Aqua is an American company specialised in dermatological treatments
Mas to the Spanish Government: 'Let us vote'
The Catalan President stated that Spain should not see Catalonia 'as an adversary and especially not as an enemy'.
The Catalan President, Artur Mas, urged the Spanish Government led by Mariano Rajoy to allow the referendum on independence in Catalonia to take place in 2014. "I want to use this New Year's Eve Speech to ask the Spanish State to let us vote. To listen to the voice of the Catalan people", Mas said in his statement, broadcasted by Catalan TV.
The Catalan President stated that Spain should not see Catalonia "as an adversary and especially not as an enemy".
'Catalan independence not a democratic option,' says Spanish Government
The 210-page report has been sent to Spanish embassies and consulates
Oriol Junqueras: 'We're ready to join the government'
The leader of the Republican Left speaks about the agreement reached on the referendum's date and question; the threats against the process, and the need for the people to mobilize; joining the CiU government; the unitary candidacy for the EU elections; and also offers recommendations for Christmas as well as his political and personal wishes for 2014.
Oriol Junqueras, historian and college professor, has become in a very short time one of the principal figures in Catalan politics and one of the main players in the process of independence for Catalonia. President of Republican Left of Catalonia [Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya] for just over two years and Leader of the Opposition since the Parliamentary elections of November 25, 2012,
Catalan National Team win over Cape Verde in Barcelona 4-1
20.000 fans follow the match at the Oympic Stadium
Catalan National Team won 4-1 a friendly match against african Cape Verde team.
The main contingent of players was provided by the two biggest sides of Catalonia FC Barcelona and Espanyol, whilst there was also a good selection of other clubs providing players, both from La Liga and overseas. Among them the first MLS player ever to join the team, KC Sporting Uri Rosell.
An Iberian Council for Catalonia, Andorra, Spain and Portugal
Experts suggest increasing cooperation between an independent Catalonia and Spain
The Catalan Government's Advisory Council for the National Transition (CATN), formed of renowned independent experts, presented this Friday 4 reports in order to shed light on Catalonia's potential independence from Spain and the project for the following days. The CATN emphasised once again that Catalonia's independence from Spain would not represent breaking their affective and historical bounds.
Catalan Socialists propose a temporary patch to keep Catalonia within Spain
The measure should "shield" Catalonia's self-government
The World's Responsibility to Catalonia
The world has, once again, a responsibility to Catalonia and to its democracy and we invite you now to exercise that responsibility.
Fascist attack against a pro-independence event in Mataró
The civil society organisation Súmate, which brings together Spanish-speaking Catalans who support independence from Spain, presented its local branch in Mataró, a coastal city in Greater Barcelona. On Tuesday evening, half an hour after the event's kick off, a group of about six Fascists carrying Spanish flags interrupted the presentation and tried to stop it. They shouted insults against participants and carried banners against the association. "You are a submarine" of pro-independence parties and "You are sold to the 'nazionalist' tyranny" were some of the slogans.
Two photographs that will mark the future of Catalan politics
Within a few days of each other, two photographs have framed the change in the political era that we have begun to feel in Catalonia
Taken within a week of each other, the juxtaposition of the photograph of Pere Navarro (Catalan Socialist Party) with the Spanish rightist parties with that of photo of the parties announcing the pact on the referendum perfectly outlines the current political scenario in Catalonia.
For Socialists it wasn't just a question of what Mr. Navarro was doing in the first photo, but how it was that he wasn't in the second one.
Gràcia kicks off Three Kings' celebrations
Traditional pre-Three Kings parade in Gràcia features huge bags of confetti thrown from the clock tower
The Barcelona neighborhood of Gràcia celebrated its traditional pre-Three Kings Day parade on Saturday night—ahead of the larger official cavalcade that starts this afternoon when the Three Kings arrive from the Orient at the Port of Barcelona.
