The future of the Catalan parliament speaker position is uncertain following Laura Borràs' sentencing to 4.5 years in prison and a 13-year disqualification from public office by Catalonia's High Court. Borràs, also the president of Junts per Catalunya, can appeal to the Supreme Court, delaying any definitive action. The Spanish Electoral Board may oust her, leaving the speaker position vacant. The court has requested a partial pardon to reduce her sentence, potentially avoiding prison time. Political parties are considering next steps, with pro-independence factions emphasizing the need for a pro-independence speaker.

Bruce Springsteen, accompanied by The E Street Band, delivered a memorable performance at Barcelona's Olympic Stadium, marking the start of his 2023 European Tour. The concert, attended by nearly 60,000 fans, featured a mix of classic hits and emotional moments, including tributes to his late friend George Theiss. The event was notable for its energy, with Springsteen engaging the crowd for almost three hours, and special appearances by Michelle Obama and Kate Capshaw. The concert concluded with iconic songs like 'Born in the USA' and 'Dancing in the Dark,' leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

The FC Barcelona women's team, led by captain Alexia Putellas, called for increased support for female sports during the Catalan Parliament Gold Medal of Honor ceremony. Putellas emphasized the need for better facilities and more fields, marking the first time a team received this award, signifying a paradigm shift. The team's achievements include their second Champions League title and a record 8th league title. Putellas also referenced a scandal involving former Spanish Football Federation official Luis Rubiales and player Jenni Hermoso. Businesswoman Anna Schlegel and Parliament speaker Anna Erra acknowledged the team's societal impact, with Schlegel calling it a historic moment.

In Catalonia, young entrepreneurs are forgoing traditional career paths to start their own businesses, with some achieving annual turnovers of around €11 million at the age of 22. Despite Spain's high youth unemployment rate, these individuals are taking risks to create companies like Nude Project, The Ker, Nora Real Food, and Talkual. These startups span various industries, from fashion to technology to food services, and emphasize the importance of dedication, work-life balance, and the willingness to learn and grow. Their success stories highlight a trend of young Catalans choosing entrepreneurship over more secure employment options.

Barcelona's port is undergoing a €120 million transformation in preparation for the 2024 America's Cup. The port authority has negotiated 21 concession contracts, leading to the refurbishment of iconic buildings and the construction of new facilities, including a remodeled aquarium, a new walking area, and a hydrogen gas station. The America's Cup House, an interactive museum, is set to open in September, aiming to attract 1.5 million visitors. The sailing competition will feature seven weeks of races, with the main events occurring from August to October 2024. Teams from Switzerland, USA, UK, France, and Italy will challenge the current holder, Emirates Team New Zealand.

The Catalan European Democratic party (PDeCAT) seeks to regain its role as a policy leader prior to the Catalan independence movement. Emphasizing dialogue over confrontation, PDeCAT's platform includes managing the Rodalies rail services, expanding Barcelona airport, and supporting the Hard Rock hotel-casino project. While open to self-determination, independence is not their main focus. They advocate for a new economic system where Catalonia controls its taxes and support legal migration. PDeCAT is willing to back a prime ministerial candidate that prioritizes Catalonia's interests.

Catalonia has a rich history in water polo, dating back to the first match played in Spain in 1908. The region's prominence in the sport was solidified after the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. The Spanish national water polo team, with a significant Catalan presence, has achieved notable success, including a silver medal in 1992 and a gold in 1996. Felipe Perrone, a prominent player, highlights the importance of Catalonia in Spanish water polo and the region's reputation as a global mecca for the sport. Barcelona's infrastructure and club management contribute to this status. The women's team has also excelled, with a strong showing at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Interest in water polo is growing in Catalonia, with Perrone encouraging new participants to try the sport.

Barcelona en Comú, led by acting mayor Ada Colau, will support Socialist candidate Jaume Collboni for mayor of Barcelona, ensuring a Socialist leadership after 12 years. This decision comes with the condition that Barcelona en Comú remains in opposition, aligning with the People's Party's desire to prevent a mayor in favor of a Catalan Republic. The move blocks Xavier Trias, the election winner and pro-independence center-right candidate, from becoming mayor. Barcelona en Comú's support is crucial for Collboni to prevent Trias from taking office, reminiscent of the 2019 mayoral election where a pro-independence mayor was also thwarted. Barcelona en Comú has stated their decision was made independently of any agreements with the Socialists or the People's Party and is based on preventing a government that supports right-wing policies.

PortAventura, Catalonia's largest amusement park, has opened a new roller coaster named Uncharted: The Enigma of Penitence. This dark ride, based on the film starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, is the park's first and is located in the Far West area. The ride features a side launch, five launches, and immersive special effects. It is 673 meters long, 12 meters high, and situated in a 4,800 square meter space. The €25m project was a collaboration between Intamin Amusement Rides and Sally Dark Rides. The park, which expects to welcome 5.3 million visitors this year, invited actors Tom Holland and Antonio Banderas for the opening. General Director David García and Development Manager Luis Vidal spoke positively about the new addition and its potential to attract visitors from the UK and France.

Bruce Springsteen fans from America consider his concerts in Barcelona to be the best, possibly due to his long-term relationship with Catalan fans.

The old hardware store Balius located in Barcelona's Poble Nou neighborhood has been transformed into a new pet-friendly coworking office space. The renovated building can accommodate up to 200 people and features a façade that is open to the exterior.

Catalonia boasts 442 libraries, including mobile 'bibliobusos', which collectively received over 13.3 million visitors in 2021. Notable libraries include the Biblioteca de Catalunya, preserving Catalonia's written heritage, and the Biblioteca Pública Arús in Barcelona, with unique collections. Other libraries of interest are the award-winning Biblioteca Jaume Fuster and the historical Dipòsit de les Aigües at Pompeu Fabra University. The article also highlights the Biblioteca Popular de Valls, the first library opened by the Mancomunitat de Catalunya, and the Biblioteca Antoni Comas in Mataró, housed in a former slaughterhouse. To access these libraries, residents can obtain a library card online or by phone, which also provides access to digital resources like ebooks, audiobooks, and the eFilm streaming service.

Sant Jordi in Barcelona is a cultural event where people exchange roses and books, and have the opportunity to meet their favorite authors. On April 23, international and local authors will be signing books on Passeig de Gràcia. Notable international authors include John Boyne, Camilla Läckberg, and others, while Catalan and Spanish authors like Eva Baltasar, also shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, will be present. An interactive map is available to locate the authors.

Barcelona's Grec Festival introduces a new ticket promotion allowing attendees to purchase tickets for multiple shows at €15 each. The festival will feature 88 different shows, including plays, concerts, and dance performances, with a significant representation of women scriptwriters or directors. The opening event will showcase French tightrope walker Nathan Paulin and choreographer Rachid Ouramdane. International artists like Ivo van Hove, Sasha Waltz, Dimitris Papaioannou, and Robert Wilson will also participate. The festival will utilize unique venues across Barcelona, such as the Rei Martí cistern and 'La Model' old prison.

Barcelona's Grec Festival introduces a new ticket promotion offering shows at €15 each, with flexibility and shareability. The festival begins on July 2 with an inaugural tightrope walk by Nathan Paulin and includes 88 shows featuring international artists like Ivo van Hove and Sasha Waltz. Venues include unique spaces such as the Rei Martí cistern and 'La Model' old prison. The program emphasizes female scriptwriters and directors, with a diverse lineup of plays, concerts, and performances.

The Catalan government and parliamentary groups failed to agree on measures to combat the ongoing drought after a four-hour meeting. The government sought to ratify a decree with potential sanctions for non-compliant municipalities, which the opposition rejected. The Socialists criticized the idea of sanctions, calling for institutional collaboration instead. Junts emphasized the need for cooperation and financial aid for city councils. The CUP and En Comú Podem expressed disappointment with the summit's timing, while the People's Party felt the situation worsened. Reservoirs in Catalonia are at 27% capacity as of March 31, 2023.

On the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 8,500 people, including Ukrainian refugees and Catalans, protested in Barcelona. The march began at La Pedrera and ended at Plaça de Catalunya, where a manifesto was read condemning the invasion and calling for Russian troop withdrawal. The Ukrainian community in Catalonia has faced significant hardships, with 36,000 having lived in exile, and current estimates suggest around 21,500 remain, with 5,000 children in schools. The Ukrainian public prosecutor's office reported 69,768 war crimes, with numerous casualties and displaced children.

On the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 8,500 people, including many Ukrainian refugees, protested in Barcelona. The march began at La Pedrera and ended at Plaça de Catalunya, where a manifesto was read condemning the invasion and calling for Russia to withdraw its troops. The Ukrainian community in Catalonia has faced significant hardships, with 36,000 having lived in exile, and current estimates suggest around 21,500 remain, with 5,000 children in schools. The Ukrainian Public Prosecutor's Office reported 69,768 war crimes, with numerous casualties and displaced children.

Renfe, the Spanish rail operator, is conducting test runs to establish a train route connecting Barcelona with Lyon and Marseille by summer 2023. The company is training drivers on the route, with no specific launch date announced yet. This will be Renfe's first solo international route, following the end of a partnership with France's SNCF, which now operates a direct line from Barcelona to Paris. Renfe's future services will include a direct line from Barcelona to Lyon with several stops, and a route from Madrid to Marseille via Barcelona, with one train each way daily. The company aims to compete in France, including in high-speed lines, and has plans to eventually reach Paris.

The article discusses the dangers faced by war correspondents reporting from conflict zones, with a focus on the recent bomb attack in Aleppo, Syria. It highlights the experiences of several journalists, including Ricard Gonzalez, Albert Elfa, Ethel Bonet, and Amador Guallar, who have covered various conflicts and revolutions, particularly during the Arab Spring. The journalists share insights into the risks of working in war zones, the importance of protective gear, the role of fixers, and the challenges of obtaining accreditations. The article also touches on the misconceptions locals may have about journalists being spies and the importance of self-care as advised by the Dart Centre for Journalism & Trauma. The International News Safety Institute's efforts in training journalists for safety are mentioned, emphasizing the increased risks journalists face today. The piece concludes with the journalists expressing the privilege they feel in giving a voice to those affected by war.