Spain: Four million people in Catalonia asked to 'stay at home' amid coronavirus surge

Catalonia’s regional government has asked millions of people to “stay at home” as the area experienced a resurgence in coronavirus cases.

Around four million people in the Barcelona metropolitan area have been requested to only leave home for essential reasons, with cinemas, theatres and nightclubs also closing.

Restaurants and bars are now limited to half capacity, a ban on visits to elderly people’s homes has been implemented, and people can only meet up in groups of up to ten.

Non-essential businesses will have to receive their customers by appointment.

Read more at:
Four million people in Catalonia asked to 'stay at home' amid coronavirus surge | Euronews

Spain: The illegal Catalonia independence: Huge Barcelona Pro-Spain Unity Rally

Some 1 million Pro-Spain Unity demonstrated today in Barcelona

Hundreds of thousands are attending a rally for Spanish unity in Barcelona after Catalonia was stripped of its autonomy for declaring independence.

Many of those protesting in the region's largest city chanted that sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont should be jailed.

Mr Puigdemont was dismissed as Spain's central government took control of Catalan institutions.

On Sunday, a minister in Belgium said he could get political asylum there.

Spain has been gripped by a constitutional crisis since a referendum, organised by Mr Puigdemont's separatist government, was held earlier this month in defiance of a ruling by the Constitutional Court which had declared it illegal.

The Guardia Urbana, a Catalan municipal police force, said at least 300,000 people had turned out in Barcelona. Organisers and the government in Madrid put the turnout a more than a million people.

Veteran Catalan politician Josep Borrell, a former president of the European Parliament, told demonstrators that Catalonia's former separatist leaders had no right to speak on behalf of the entire region.

Among the demonstrators was Marina Fernandez, a 19-year-old student, who said she was unhappy with the actions taken by the Catalan authorities.

"I am enraged about what they are doing to the country that my grandparents built," she told the AFP news agency.

Another protester, Maria Lopez, told Reuters news agency: "What do we want? That they don't break us up. This is a disgrace. We are not going to consent. They are shameless, shameless, and Mr Puigdemont needs to be taken to prison."

Read more: Catalonia independence: Huge Barcelona pro-Spain rally - BBC News

Spain: Hundreds protest against Catalonia independence vote in Barcelona

Hundreds of people took to the streets of the Catalan capital Barcelona on Saturday, to denounce the upcoming referendum on the region’s separation from Spain. The vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

Anti-independence protesters carrying Spanish flags gathered in front of the Catalan government building in Barcelona. At the same time, hundreds rallied in the Spanish capital Madrid, also to protest Sunday’s referendum.

Read more: Hundreds protest against Catalonia independence vote in Barcelona — RT Newsline

Spain: Police shoot fugitive city’s van attack wearing possible bomb belt

A police operation was underway Monday in an area west of Barcelona, and a Spanish newspaper reports that the fugitive in the city’s van attack has been captured.

Regional police said officers shot a man wearing a possible explosives belt in Subirats, a small town 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Barcelona.

Younes Abouyaaqoub, 22, has been the target of an international manhunt since Thursday’s van attack in Barcelona. Authorities said Monday they now have evidence he drove the van that plowed down the city’s famed Las Ramblas promenade, killing 13 pedestrians and injuring more than 120 others.

Abouyaaqoub then is suspected of carjacking a man and stabbing him to death as he made his getaway, raising the death toll between the Barcelona attack and a related attack hours later to 15.

Read more: Spain: Police shoot man wearing possible bomb belt - Campbell River Mirror

Spain: Barcelona and Cambrils attacks: why was Spain targeted by Deranged Islamic terrorists? - by S. Jones and G.Tremlett

Images of the aftermath of the attack on Barcelona’s most famous street on Thursday will stir different images in the minds of different people. For those in France and the UK, they will be reminders of the attacks on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice and on Westminster Bridge in London.

For many Spaniards, they will bring back memories of 11 March 2004, when 191 people were killed and more than 1,800 others injured in a series of train bombings in Madrid carried out by al-Qaida.

Older Spaniards will also remember Eta’s violent struggle for Basque independence, a failed campaign that killed more than 800 people in bombings and shootings over a period of decades.

But if the spectre of Eta has faded six years after the group began giving up its weapons – and 20 years after its murder of a young politician marked a turning point in Spanish society – the same cannot be said of the threat of cowardly radical Islamic terrorism

Read more: Barcelona and Cambrils attacks: why was Spain targeted by terrorists? | World news | The Guardian

Barcelona attack: EU president Jean-Claude Juncker pledges Europe-wide response to 'cowardly attack' - by Jon Stone

The European Commission President has condemned a “cowardly” vehicle attack in the Spanish city of Barcelona and pledged a Europe-wide response to the atrocity.

Jean-Claude Juncker  pledged to put the EU's its resources at the disposal of Barcelona’s emergency and security services following the outrage, which he said had “deliberately targeted those enjoying life and sharing time with family and friends” as reports of several persons having died in the attack came in.

A speeding van ran through the city’s famous pedestrian street Las Ramblas, mowing down people and sending others flying for cover. Spanish media reports that the driver fled on foot.
Read more: Barcelona attack: EU president Jean-Claude Juncker pledges Europe-wide response to 'cowardly attack' | The Independent

Spain -Terrorism: Barcelona attack: Van crashes into crowds in Ramblas tourist area

Deranged Radical Islamist Terrorists

A van has ploughed into crowds in the busy Las Ramblas area of central Barcelona in what police are treating as a “terror attack”.

A government official tweeted that 13 people have died and at least 50 have been injured.

Spanish police released a handout with information about and a photograph of Maghrebi Driss Oukabir, who is suspected of renting the van used to run down pedestrians in Las Ramblas.

The self-titled Islamic State group (ISIL) claimed responsibility for the deadly attack through its Amaq news agency.

"Once again a cowardly attack on innocent people by a deranged group of radial Islamist terrorists, whose territory of their self proclaimed "Islamic State" is crumbling away at an ever increasing speed".  

"To stay updated on terrorist movements{ check out the SITE Intelligence Group Website ". 

"SITE Intelligence Group is a for-profit US Bethesda, Maryland-based company that tracks online activity of white supremacist and jihadist organizations. From 2002 to 2008, SITE Intelligence Group was known as the Search for International Terrorist Entities (SITE) Institute. SITE is led by the Israeli analyst Rita Katz".

"On a personal basis, in case you see any suspect activities in your area or neighborhood, immediately contact your local police or security agency"..

EU-Digest

Air Crash: France - Live: Black box found at Germanwings crash site in French Alps

A Germanwings flight carrying 144 passengers and six crew from Barcelona to Dusseldorf crashed Tuesday in the southern French Alps, aviation authorities said. French transport officials said there were no survivors.French President François Hollande called the crash "a tragedy on our soil''.

"We still don't know much beyond the bare information on the flight, and there should be no speculation on the cause of the crash," German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters in Berlin. "All that will be investigated thoroughly."

There were no survivors from the crash of flight 4U9525, said Alain Vidalies, France's junior minister of transport.

Brandet told BFM television that he expected the search and recovery operation to be "extremely long and extremely difficult'' due to the remoteness of the crash site.

Read more: France - Live: Black box found at Germanwings crash site in French Alps - France 24

Spain: The Barcelona Boat Show is gearing up for its 53rd event and promises style

If you like boating, you will love Barcelona’s Boat Show; this year it hosts its 53rd event and nautical enthusiasts await eagerly.

The Barcelona International Boat Show is gearing up for its 53rd event which will take place from October 15th to 19th 2014.

Organised by Fira de Barcelona with the collaboration of the Asociación Nacional de Empresas Náuticas, Anen, this major nautical sports and recreation trade fair will again host all exhibits and activities in Port Vell.
For the Director of the Barcelona Boat Show, Jordi Freixas”the latest data from the recreational boat market in Spain show that the crisis is touching rock bottom that will give way to a slow recovery of demand. We have to be prudent but we believe that this edition can mark a turning point in sector sales. In any case, we will continue to dedicate our efforts to attracting buyers from more dynamic economies, such as Germany, France and Russia, and also foreign residents in our country”.

According to the Secretary General of Anen, Carlos Sanlorenzo,”the event has to evolve in line with new nautical trends that are prevailing in leading European trade shows. In this sense, one of the factors to be considered is to try not to overlap with other international shows.

With regard to expectations, the nautical market’s performance in February, with a 5% growth, is positive but some time will have to pass before domestic demand is stronger and therefore the show has to focus on international markets”

Read more: The Barcelona Boat Show is gearing up for its 53rd event and promises style [3902] | Anglo-Iberian

Soccer: Champions League: Atletico Madrid knock-out Barcelona as it happened

Atletico is the first team to knock out Barcelona in Champions League quarter-finals since Juventus in 2003.

It was Koke's early goal that secured Atletico Madrid a first Champions League semi-final spot since 1974.

It could, and should, have been even more as the hosts hit the woodwork three times in a one-sided first-half. Barcelona improved slightly after the break but, except for a Neymar diving header, did little to threaten. A historic and deserved win.

Read more: BBC Sport - Champions League: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona as it happened

European Cruise Business: Giant cruise ship to be based year-round in Europe

 In the latest sign that Europe has come of age as a year-round cruise destination, Norwegian Cruise Line today announced it would permanently deploy its largest ship to the region.

Speaking aboard the soon-to-debut Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan revealed that the 4,100-passenger Norwegian Epic would move to Barcelona year-round in April 2015.

"Consumers in Europe love the ship," Sheehan told reporters during a preview sailing of the Getaway out of Rotterdam for European travel agents.

Read more: Giant cruise ship to be based year-round in Europe

Spain: Demonstration in Barcelona to support people of Egypt and Syria - by Claudio Perrone

Large numbers of people from different ethnic groups have concentrated in Barceloto demonstrate  in support and solidarity with the people of Egypt and Syria

Read more: Demonstration in Barcelona to support people of Egypt and Syria | Demotix.com

UEFA Champions League Soccer: Bayern Munich to play Chelsea in Champions League final

Bayern Munich reached the Champions League final beating nine-time champions Real Madrid 3-1 on penalties after the two-legged match finished 3-3 on aggregate.

Bastian Schweinsteiger slotted home the winning penalty in a thrilling shootout which saw Bayern lead 2-0 at one point after Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka missed theirs for Real.

However, Toni Kroos and captain Philippo Lahm then missed theirs with Xabi Alonso getting one back for Real but Sergio Ramos blasted his effort high into the stands and Schweinsteiger made no mistake.

EU-Digest

Soccer - UEFA Champions League: 10-man Chelsea dethrone Barcelona to enter final

 Lionel Messi missed a penalty as holders Barcelona were sent crashing out of the Champions League semi-finals after 10-man Chelsea battled to a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou here on Tuesday.

Chelsea, leading 1-0 from the first leg, snatched a 3-2 aggregate win on a night of extraordinary drama which saw the Premier League side recover from 2-0 down and the dismissal of captain John Terry to reach next month's Munich final.

For more: Champions League: 10-man Chelsea dethrone Barcelona to enter final | News | NDTVSports.com

UEFA Champions League: Soccer Match Preview between Barcelona v Chelsea

Chelsea will step out at Camp Nou in Barcelona on Tuesday evening attempting to eliminate Barcelona and secure what had previously seemed an unlikely place in the UEFA Champions League final. 

The Premier League club only just qualified from Group E after a nervy first half of the campaign, which, along with the managerial reign of Andre Villas-Boas, now seems a lifetime ago.

Interim first-team coach Roberto Di Matteo has overseen a remarkable turnaround in fortunes and following their much-discussed, disciplined and strategic 1-0 semi-final first-leg win over defending kings of Europe, Barcelona, the final is within reach.


Following their weekend defeat to Real Madrid, the Primera Liga title is slipping away from Barcelona and so retaining the Champions League has been a top priority for Guardiola, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in the summer.

For more: Match Preview | Barcelona v Chelsea - 24th April 2012 | Sky Sports | Football News

Soccer - European Champions League: Chelsea beats Barcelona 1-0

Didier Drogba grabbed the first-half winner as Chelsea produced a resilient display to beat Barcelona 1-0 on Wednesday to take a narrow lead into the second leg of their Champions League semifinal against the defending champions.

In one of Chelsea's few forays forward at Stamford Bridge, Drogba swept home a cross by Ramires in the second minute of first-half injury time to hand Barca a first loss in this season's competition and leave the contest delicately poised.

The Spanish giants were camped inside Chelsea's half for almost the entire match but were denied by a mixture of poor finishing and brave defending, with Gary Cahill outstanding alongside centre-back partner John Terry to repeatedly deny Lionel Messi.

The return leg is played at the Camp Nou in Barcelona on Tuesday.

EU-Digest

European Soccer : Messi-ah or just Lionel Messi? Doesn't matter - by John Leicester

Two months ago, Pele was asked the same question many people are asking again now: Is Lionel Messi better than you were?

"Difficult to say," the great man replied. "When Messi has scored 1,283 goals like me, when he has won three World Cups, we can talk about it again."

There are two ways to understand that answer.  One, of course, is 'No.' His latest feat — a record-setting five goals in one Champions League match, notwithstanding — Messi still cannot definitively be called the greatest player of all time. Perhaps no one can.

But the other and more diplomatic point Pele possibly was trying to make is that, unlike the Brazilian, Messi is still an art work in progress. He has not finished sculpting his place in soccer history. Not even close. Messi, greatest ever? Why are we discussing this now? Come back and see me in 10 years.

For more; PRO SOCCER: Messi-ah or just Messi? Doesn't matter » Standard-Times

Mobile Phones: Nokia unveils 41 MP camera phone

Struggling cellphone maker Nokia Corp. has unveiled two new handsets that it hopes will revive its fortunes at the start of world's largest mobile phone trade show on Monday.

Chief executive Stephen Elop told reporters at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona that the new phones — a low-price $254 smartphone that runs on Windows software and a handset with a high-resolution 41 megapixel camera — demonstrate "the actions necessary to improve the fortunes of Nokia."

"With great products for consumers, I think the rest will fall into place," Elop said.

For more: Nokia unveils 41 MP camera phone, $254 handset - Business - CBC News

Soccer: Park not alone as United disappoints - by Joo Kyung-don

For many footballers, Wembley Stadium in London is a field of dreams, but for Manchester United Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, the stadium seems to have become a place to avoid.

Park started in the UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona at Wembley Stadium on Saturday but suffered the “Wembley jinx” when his Manchester United team was beaten 3-1 by the Spanish giant.

The match was the Korean player’s second start in a Champions League final and even though he played for a full 90 minutes, in the end he wasn’t able to help deliver the result that he and the massed ranks of Red Devils fans were looking for.

For more: Park not alone as United disappoints - INSIDE Korea JoongAng Daily

Soccer: Barcelona Beats Man United 3–1 in Final

Lionel Messi scored one goal and created another Saturday, leading Barcelona to a 3–1 victory over Manchester United and a third Champions League title in six years.

Barcelona dominated play at Wembley with trademark one-touch passing, but the Spanish champions needed the Argentine striker to conjure a 54th-minute solo strike from the edge of the penalty area to take the lead for the second time.

After a shaky opening, Barcelona simply outclassed the English champions. Xavi, standing in as captain for injured defender Carles Puyol, orchestrated play from in front of Sergio Busquets, while Andres Iniesta and Messi tormented United with the pinpoint accuracy of their passing.

 
For more: Barcelona Beats Man United 3–1 in Final - TIME