It's not just the sun and the beach. Nor the gastronomy. Nor Gaudí. Barcelona is now also showing its magnetism to representatives of world progressivism. Pedro Sánchez has summoned them, and one cannot deny him either cunning or the gift of timing, making the aura of an international anti-Trump leader eclipse his domestic version, which is much grayer and more questioned. If the game board is the world, I am with Sánchez and against Trump, for the record. I am with him completely (the choice is not that difficult). But the view from within is different. Sánchez reminds me of Gorbachev during perestroika, acclaimed in the West, unpopular in Russia. Sánchez can play with better cards than old Gorby, who managed a ruined empire; but he has justice breathing down his neck, and the PP-Vox duo lurking him in the polls. It is understandable that he prefers to exploit his statesman profile. With what ease he acts as spokesman for world pacifism, and installs himself on the “right side of History” with Xi Jinping (Thursday) and Lula (Friday). Meanwhile, in the domestic sphere, the right grows on the shoulders of the ultras, the true left becomes smaller and smaller, despite Rufián's efforts, and the center does not exist. A Russian roulette scenario.If nothing else, the Catalan issue (which occupied the headlines last decade) is no longer causing problems. The proof: This weekend of progressive tourism in Barcelona. Because Barcelona, like Catalonia, has outsourced the management of its brand and its role in the world. The Spanish government now takes care of it, while Illa and Collboni act as cheerleaders. For Sánchez, being seen in Barcelona is very useful, not only to show that we have returned to the fold, but also because ours is a much more left-wing city than Madrid (and than Spain as a whole). Barcelona is the great refuge of the PSOE, which appropriates it, uproots it, isolates it from its hinterland, and turns it into an alternative capital. Of Spain, of course. A more plural Spain than that of the PP? Undoubtedly! But let's not kid ourselves: This weekend's spectacle is designed from Madrid to project the PSOE's Spain around the world. Primarily from the Latin American world. This is why all these summits use Spanish orally and in writing, ignoring the native language and the lingua franca. Barcelona, needless to say, looks divine, but it is only a backdrop. And the Generalitat, a silent guest. Did you know, by the way, that the Generalitat has a Ministry of Foreign Relations?Readers of a certain age may recall, although it may seem incredible now, when King Juan Carlos I entered the Olympic stadium to inaugurate the 1992 Games while Els segadors was playing over the loudspeakers. Internal balancing acts were being performed in those days. Olympic diplomacy emerged from a creative tension between the city council and the governments. Independence was an abstraction, almost like now, but we were playing at appearing to be a country, and Barcelona could act as the capital of Catalonia, and the capital of the Catalan language, because for many of us it was much more than a backdrop. This weekend, Catalans find themselves at the epicenter of world politics, but we have been reserved the role of butlers and ushers.I imagine that to the more cosmopolitan readers this kind of complaint will seem unbearably provincial. I apologize. With a final plea: Next week, let us at least enjoy Sant Jordi in peace. We already know that all over the world April 23rd is Book Day, plain and simple. But it turns out that in Catalonia – only in Catalonia – we call this day Sant Jordi, and it is also the day when Barcelona and Catalonia, hand in hand, project themselves to the world. It is only one day; we will see to it that it passes quickly.

For weeks, Pedro Sánchez has been working to crown himself the architect of anti-Trumpism. And this weekend he will be its graphic image in Barcelona. The Spanish president will bring together several world leaders from the progressive space to confront the reactionary wave that continues to grow globally. The first handshake was with the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both have starred in the first Spain-Brazil summit, held at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona, to strengthen relations between both countries and sign several strategic and commercial agreements. They will subsequently appear at a press conference.

For weeks, Pedro Sánchez has been working to establish himself as the architect of anti-Trumpism. And this weekend, he will be the graphic image in Barcelona. The Spanish president is bringing together various world leaders from the progressive sphere to confront the reactionary wave that continues to grow globally. The first handshake was with the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Both have led the first Spain-Brazil summit, held at the Palau de Pedralbes in Barcelona, to strengthen relations between the two countries and sign various strategic and commercial agreements. The two leaders have highlighted the alliance and sent an international message in defense of multilateralism and peace in the face of Donald Trump's warmongering confrontation.

In the regal auditorium of Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious, the Spanish Prime Minister has initiated the official visit to the Asian giant with a clear statement of intent in the form of a speech. Pedro Sánchez has advocated for strengthening multilateralism and, at the same time, reforming it to have a more representative and democratic UN Security Council that gives more power to southern countries. Although he has acknowledged China's efforts in defending international law, he has assigned it homework, for example, to get involved in ceasing conflicts in Lebanon, Iran, Gaza, the West Bank, and also in Ukraine. He has not forgotten about the economy and has demanded more balanced relations, recalling the large trade deficit with the Asian giant: "We need China to open up so that Europe does not have to close itself off".

Southeastern Spain, one of the driest areas in Europe, has established itself as one of the continent's main agricultural hubs. Despite having a climate marked by minimal rainfall and long periods of drought, this region has become the heart of the so-called “european vegetable garden.” Thanks to state policies, desalination plants, artificial reservoirs, and complex water transfer systems between river basins have been built, allowing vast previously unproductive areas to be irrigated.

FIFA has opened a disciplinary proceeding against the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) after the racist chants produced in the friendly match between Spain and Egypt last week at Espanyol's stadium. “FIFA has initiated today a disciplinary proceeding against the Spanish Football Federation for the incidents that occurred during the friendly match against Egypt,” can be read in a statement. This is a preliminary step by the body that controls world football to decide on the sanctions imposed on the RFEF.

"I know that [the chants] were directed at the opposing team [Egypt], but as a Muslim person, it is still a lack of respect and something intolerable [...]. To those who sing these things: using religion as a mockery leaves you as ignorant and racist people," published the Barça star and pillar of Luis de la Fuente's team on his social media on Wednesday. On Tuesday, after the match against Egypt and the globally shameful scene that occurred in the confrontation against the North African team, the footballer left the Espanyol stadium with his head down and without greeting the local fans. Afterwards, he passed through the mixed zone hastily, absorbed, looking at his mobile phone, barely wanting to look up to see the press who were interviewing some of his teammates. Lamine Yamal was restless.

Lamine Yamal has broken his silence over the Islamophobic chants this Tuesday at Cornellà-El Prat, on the occasion of a friendly between Spain and Egypt, with a publication on Instagram. "I know [the chants] were for the opposing team [Egypt], but as a Muslim person it is still a lack of respect and something intolerable [...]. To those who sing these things: using religion as a mockery leaves you as ignorant and racist people," wrote the Barça star and the main star of Luis de la Fuente's team. The footballer left the Espanyol stadium with his head down and without greeting the local fans.

Joan Garcia has debuted with the Spanish national team and has been at the stadium that until last June was his home, the RCDE Stadium. The Spanish men's national team has returned to Catalonia four years later in a friendly against Egypt (0-0). One of the great attractions of the match was knowing whether the blue and red goalkeeper would debut with the senior national team. The Sallent-born player was dropped from the squad last Friday in Vila-real, but came on in the 62nd minute in Cornellà-El Prat with more applause than whistles – despite being booed by some fans during the warm-up due to his past with Espanyol–. Luis de la Fuente was also booed after not calling up Joan Garcia when he was with the white and blue team. If he had been called up before signing for Barça, his release clause would have increased by five million more, up to thirty.

Amidst the war in the Middle East and its consequent impact on the global gas and oil market, many countries have entered into a long-distance race to find who can guarantee them the supply of these fossil fuels, or ensure that the link with their main suppliers is robust. This is the case of Spain, which has just announced the "reinforcement" of the energy partnership with Algeria, on which the supply of natural gas to the State depends because it is its main source. For example, between January and December 2025, 34.5% of the natural gas that arrived in Spain (128,504 GWh) came from the African country, while this year Algerian gas already accounts for 29.2% of this fossil fuel (19,243 GWh). In fact, this reinforcement will translate into nothing more and nothing less than an "expansion" of the gas volumes arriving in the State from Algeria. The same happened in 2022, when the war in Ukraine and the consequent decisions of the West regarding its ties with Moscow, including starting to detach from Russian gas in the long term, increased the capacity of the pipeline connecting Spain with the Algerian country: from 8,000 million cubic meters to 10,000 million.

The public silence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the face of the recent Criticism and threats from US President Donald Trump in Spain Not only has it outraged the Spanish government, but it has also perplexed the Germans. The question being asked by the German press these days is: should the Chancellor have defended Spain against Trump? Should he have responded on camera, or was he right to defend Spain afterward, behind closed doors?

A U.S. Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III landed Wednesday afternoon at the Rota military base and departed a few hours later for Sicily. The route of this military transport aircraft You can check it on the flightradar24 website This has sparked controversy, given that the Spanish government has vetoed the use of American military bases for any operation related to the Iran-Contra conflict. What control does Spain have over what happens at the Rota naval base and the Morón air base? What can the United States do there?

That all the focus is on the Iran war This doesn't make us forget the ongoing negotiations between the Catalan government and Esquerra Republicana (ERC) regarding the approval of this year's budget. We'll explain the current situation shortly. But first, a few points about the war.

The day after Pedro Sánchez's "No to war"The Spanish government has announced it will send military support to Cyprus and is becoming involved for the first time in the Iran-Iraq War. Spain's participation will be strictly defensive, aimed at protecting a European Union member state. Furthermore, it will collaborate jointly with other European partners, such as Italy and the Netherlands. This aid will be in addition to that already sent this week by France, Greece, and the United Kingdom. Specifically, the Spanish government will send a warship. Christopher Columbus, which will accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and other ships of the Greek Navy. The frigate joined the Naval Group on March 3 to perform escort, protection, and advanced training duties in the Baltic Sea. Now, the group will head towards the Eastern Mediterranean to reach the coast of Crete around March 10. In addition to the Christopher ColumbusThe supply ship will also briefly put to sea. Cantabriato supply fuel and provide logistical support during the Naval Group's transit through the Gulf of Cádiz.

In Spain, the destabilization of the Persian Gulf countries does not go unnoticed by the economic and business world, which in recent years has seen trade ties with the Arab monarchies of the region grow steadily. The US and Israeli attack on Iran not only "looks like it will last quite a while," in the words of Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, but could also have unforeseen "repercussions." And it is these repercussions that are already affecting this region of the Middle East, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates—the two largest economies in the region—Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. All of them form the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Vox has a short-, medium-, and long-term plan to put Santiago Abascal in La Moncloa (the Spanish Prime Minister's official residence). The first step in this strategy is being taken these days in negotiations with the PP (People's Party) for the regional governments of Extremadura and Aragon, which will coincide with the elections in Castile and León and Andalusia. All of this is with an eye on the 2027 general elections. According to information obtained by ARA, the far-right's plan hinges on an initial demand: to enter the government of Extremadura. The excuse is that they don't trust the president, María Guardiola, but the reality is more complex; Vox intends to corner the Extremaduran leader while simultaneously making things easier for others. males Populars, for example, Jorge Azcón in Aragon.

The gender pay gap is one of the clearest examples of inequality between men and women in the labor market. In Catalonia, this disparity resulted in women earning 16.75% less than men in 2023: the average annual earnings for men were €32,721.58, while for women it was €27,240.93. With these figures, the monthly difference amounts to €456.72 less for women. These are the latest available data explaining this structural phenomenon, presented in a report this Friday by the UGT (General Union of Workers) of Catalonia. The wage gap between men and women is greater in Catalonia than in Spain as a whole, where the gap stood at 15.74%.

Prices in Catalonia began the year following the downward trend, with year-on-year inflation reaching 2% in January, four-tenths of a percentage point lower than the previous month, according to data published this Friday by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The decrease is mainly explained by the evolution of energy prices and consolidates the slowdown that began in recent months. This also places it three-tenths of a percentage point below the national average (2.3%), and for the eleventh consecutive month, the cost of living has risen less in Catalonia than in Spain as a whole. The Principality was the sixth autonomous community with the smallest increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the evolution of the cost of living), after La Rioja, Murcia, Galicia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Asturias, where the rate fell by a further tenth of a percentage point to 1.9%. In contrast, the regions where prices rose the most were the Community of Madrid (+3%), Ceuta (+2.9%), and Cantabria and the Valencian Community (+2.5%). In Catalonia, the product groups that saw the largest price increases in January compared to the same month of the previous year were insurance and financial services (5.9%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.5%), followed by restaurants and accommodation services (3.7%), while transportation (-0.7%) registered decreases. By region, Tarragona led the year-on-year increase in the CPI at the start of this year, with a rise of 2.1%, followed by 2% in Barcelona and Girona, and 1.6% in Lleida. In Spain, year-on-year inflation stood at 2.3% in January, six tenths of a percentage point lower than the previous month's figure and one tenth of a percentage point lower than the initial estimate from the National Statistics Institute (INE). This is the largest decrease since March of last year and is mainly explained by the moderation of energy prices. The final figure published this Friday thus reaffirms the trend of price moderation observed in recent months. With this result, inflation continues to approach the European Central Bank's (ECB) target of around 2%. The Ministry of Economy has highlighted that, over the course of 2025, the aggregate purchasing power of households increased by 1.5% thanks to wage increases that outpaced average inflation for the year. Food Prices

As for core inflation—which excludes energy and fresh food prices due to their greater volatility—this indicator remains stable at 2.6% for the third consecutive month. Food prices, which had previously been at the forefront of the price crisis, moderated their increase by one-tenth of a percentage point compared to December.

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Spain's population exceeds 49.5 million thanks to the arrival of foreigners, according to data from the INE, the Spanish statistics institute. The data also reveals that today, for the first time, the number of residents born in other countries surpasses 10 million, meaning one in five. Catalonia of the eight millionForeigners represent 19%, according to Idescat.

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Catalonia was the first region in Spain to have a wind farm, but He lost the initiative a long time ago.And for many years it has lagged behind the rest of the country in green energy generation. Now, however, faced with the new challenge of renewable energies – storage to ensure supply when the wind isn't blowing (wind power) or the sun isn't shining (photovoltaics) – Catalonia wants to take a step forward.

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