The removal of the Francoist monument in Tortosa, Catalonia, which was scheduled to begin on July 18, has been indefinitely halted due to a court decision on July 9 following an appeal by Corembe, an entity opposed to the removal. The monument, known as the largest Francoist monument in Catalonia, has been the subject of controversy and protests. Efforts to remove it are based on the Historical Memory Law, which mandates the removal of Francoist symbols. The monument, created by sculptor Lluís Maria Saumells y Panadés in 1962, has been defended by some for its artistic value, while others argue for its removal or reinterpretation to confront Francoist values in a democratic society. Despite legal and political challenges, experts believe the removal will eventually proceed.

Sara Moreno Colom, a Sociology professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and researcher at the Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball, discusses in an interview with Público how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing social inequalities, particularly gender inequalities. She explains that the labor market was divided into essential occupations, teleworkable jobs, and those who were directly expelled from the job market, with a clear gender impact. Moreno Colom highlights that many essential jobs are feminized and precarious, and despite their importance, little has been done to improve their conditions. She also addresses the occupational segregation by gender, the social tolerance towards female unemployment, and the challenges of telework, which may reinforce gender inequalities. The article emphasizes the need for collective demands and policy changes to address these disparities.

Arcadi Oliveres i Boadella, a renowned economist, social activist, and former president of Justícia i Pau, has passed away at 75 due to pancreatic cancer. Known for his expertise in North-South relations and as a humanist, Oliveres was a reference in left-wing struggles, a fervent anti-militarist, and a staunch defender of human rights. He received numerous tributes, including the Gold Medal for Civic Merit from the Barcelona City Council. Oliveres was involved in significant social and political campaigns, never wavering in his criticism of economic and political power. His legacy includes influential books and a commitment to nonviolent revolution and civil disobedience.

Arcadi Oliveres, a renowned economist, social activist, and former president of Justicia y Paz, has passed away at 75 due to pancreatic cancer. A critical voice against economic and political power, Oliveres was a humanist and a reference in left-wing struggles, advocating for a more just, peaceful, and combative world. He received numerous tributes for his social and political influence but remained incorruptible, never seeking power. His life was marked by a commitment to social justice, from his early activism in student movements to his leadership in human rights organizations and campaigns against the death penalty and military spending. Oliveres was also a vocal critic of capitalism and the arms industry, and he played a significant role in the 15M movement, emphasizing the need for social alliances and institutional change.

The second failed investiture session for Pere Aragonès in the Catalan Parliament began with optimism but ended with a sense of wasted time as ERC and Junts per Catalunya have not yet reached an agreement. Politicians from various parties, including ERC, CUP, PP, Vox, PSC, and others, were observed in different states of preparation and interaction before and during the session. The article describes the body language and demeanor of various politicians, including the relaxed posture of Alejandro Fernández from PP and the attentive listening of Pau Juvillà from CUP. The session ended with a recess called by the Parliament's president, Laura Borràs.

The economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated employment discrimination against people with disabilities in Catalonia, with a significant drop in hiring. Entities like AMMFeina and Dincat have raised concerns about the loss of jobs for those with special difficulties. A report by Fundación Adecco and CHM Obras e Infraestructura confirmed a nearly one-third reduction in hiring compared to the previous year. The Generalitat has not yet collected definitive figures but notes that the ordinary labor market has been more affected than Special Employment Centers (CETs). Despite this, some entities working within CETs disagree. The lack of compliance with the General Disability Law (LGD) by conventional companies is a major issue, as they often hire disabled individuals for a short period to meet legal requirements rather than providing stable employment. Public instruments are criticized for not being powerful enough to protect these jobs, and there is a call for more robust policies and support tailored to each individual's needs.

During the pandemic, hate crimes such as racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Roma sentiment have persisted in Spain, with a shift from public spaces to neighborhoods due to confinement. The Office of Non-Discrimination in Barcelona notes racism and xenophobia as the main issues. Discrimination against the Muslim community remains a historical scourge, with media outlets like La Vanguardia criticized for stigmatizing Muslim women in their coverage. Community mediation is preferred over judicial processes to address conflicts. Islamophobia and anti-Asian sentiment have been exacerbated by events like the coronavirus and the trial for the 2017 Barcelona attacks. The Jewish community has faced symbolic attacks, with far-right groups exploiting larger protests to commit hate crimes.

Miguel Pajares, president of the Catalan Commission for Refugee Aid, highlights the issue of climate refugees, who are forced to migrate due to habitat loss from climate change effects such as droughts and floods. He criticizes the political inaction of governments, especially in wealthy countries, for failing to address climate change and protect vulnerable populations. Pajares argues against reforming the Geneva Convention on refugees to include climate refugees due to the current anti-immigration governments. Instead, he advocates for establishing refugee status for climate migrants through conventions like the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. He estimates that in four decades, there could be between 175 and 300 million climate migrants and urges for better migration policies. Pajares also warns against trusting large corporations' climate commitments and calls for strong public policies to limit them and reduce fossil fuel use immediately.

In Catalonia, 43% of small business owners are relying on the Christmas season to decide whether to close their businesses permanently due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While online platforms like Amazon have thrived, nearly half of small businesses in the region have suffered significant losses compared to 2019. The loyalty of local customers has helped some, like the owners of Cottage, a small florist shop. However, the latest restrictions and the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic continue to pose challenges. PIMEC Comerç and Fundació Barcelona Comerç highlight the importance of the Christmas campaign and the difficulties faced by small businesses, especially those in tourism-dependent areas and smaller municipalities. The Generalitat de Catalunya remains optimistic, encouraging small businesses to adapt and differentiate themselves in the face of competition from large online platforms.

Mental health experts argue for a community-based care model linked to human rights, emphasizing the importance of social determinants in mental health. They critique the medicalization of mental health and the reductionist media portrayal of mental health as brain health. The pandemic has highlighted the limitations in mental health services worldwide, and the experts call for investment in education and poverty reduction. They also discuss gender inequalities in medical care, the overdiagnosis of ADHD, and the impact of social media and pornography on youth mental health. A silent revolution is occurring in mental health care, but the experts stress the need for more debate and a shift away from a medication-focused model.

Experts in Catalonia have cautiously endorsed the government's phased reopening plan, which aims to gradually reopen the most affected sectors such as culture, dining, and sports, and increase mobility flexibility. Despite a downward trend in COVID-19 cases, the region is not in a good situation, with hospitals like Sant Pau reporting 50-60% of critical patients being COVID-19 cases. Experts Àlex Arenas, Joaquín López-Contreras, and Clara Prats emphasize the need for gradual measures and warn of a potential increase in cases. They suggest maintaining telework and reducing social interactions to delay a third wave of infections. The plan includes sending letters inviting the public to collect PCR tests at pharmacies and increasing mass screenings, but experts stress the importance of long-term strategies and the potential need for a plan B.

The ease of access to online gambling, exacerbated by the pandemic, has led to an increase in gambling addiction in Spain. The Spanish government has enacted legislation to limit gambling advertising to between 1 and 5 am and to prohibit football clubs from displaying such promotions on their shirts. Despite the decrease in sports betting due to event cancellations, online poker, casino games, and other forms of online gambling have seen significant increases. Experts differentiate between occasional and pathological gamblers, emphasizing that gambling becomes problematic when it limits personal or economic areas of one's life. In Catalonia, 0.4% of the population admitted to being problem gamblers, and 0.1% pathological gamblers. The article also discusses the gambling habits of the youth, with 9.5% of those aged 14 to 18 having gambled for money.