Latest Barcelona News

2 political outliers claim seats in European Parliament by leveraging social media's viral power

Jun. 17, 2024 00:30 AM EDT

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — One is a wildly popular, seemingly happy-go-lucky YouTuber from Cyprus. The other is a brash, fringe figure of Spain's far right who rails against unauthorized immigrants. They both are new members of the European Parliament thanks to their savvy use of video-based social...

As the number of displaced people surges, an 'Inflatable Refugee' in Barcelona sparks questions

Jun. 14, 2024 10:46 AM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Hugging his knees and clad in a bright orange life vest, the giant “Inflatable Refugee” looks vulnerable as he sits alone in a sea of empty red velvet chairs. Belgian visual artists Schellekens & Peleman, who created the figure in 2015 following the refugee crisis...

Scientists have traced the origin of the modern horse to a lineage that emerged 4,200 years ago

Jun. 06, 2024 13:59 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The horse transformed human history – and now scientists have a clearer idea of when humans began to transform the horse. Around 4,200 years ago, one particular lineage of horse quickly became dominant across Eurasia, suggesting that’s when humans started to...

Barcelona parts ways with Xavi one month after coach reversed decision to step down

May. 24, 2024 12:15 PM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — First, he wanted out. Then he wanted to stay. Finally, Barcelona decided enough is enough and parted ways with coach Xavi Hernandez. One month after Xavi said he would continue as coach despite a disappointing season, the club told the former midfield great...

Louis Vuitton pays homage to Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí in 2025 Cruise Collection

May. 24, 2024 08:12 AM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Louis Vuitton unveiled its latest fashion designs at Barcelona’s Park Güell on Thursday, providing the clothes with drama to finally match Antoni Gaudí’s architectural masterpiece. Nicolas Ghesquiere’s ambitions for the Parisian house’s 2025 Cruise...

Messi napkin that sealed Barcelona move sells for $965,000 at auction

May. 17, 2024 09:21 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — The famous napkin that linked a young Lionel Messi to Barcelona sold for 762,400 pounds ($965,000) on Friday, British auction house Bonhams said. An agreement in principle to sign the-then 13-year-old Messi was written on the napkin almost 25 years ago at a Barcelona...

Socialists deal blow to separatists in Catalan elections but face uphill task to form government

May. 13, 2024 09:34 AM EDT

MADRID (AP) — Spain’s ruling Socialist party scored a crucial victory in regional elections in the powerful northeastern region of Catalonia, garnering the most seats and dealing a blow to the region’s two main separatist parties that have governed for decades. But candidate...

Catalan separatists lose majority as Spain's pro-union Socialists win regional elections

May. 12, 2024 19:07 PM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Six years after plunging Spain into its worst political crisis in decades, Catalonia's separatist parties are in danger of losing their hold on power in the northeastern region after the pro-union Socialist Party scored a historic result in Sunday's election. ...

Commuter rail service in northeast Spain has been disrupted by theft of copper cables near Barcelona

May. 12, 2024 13:38 PM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Commuter rail service serving Barcelona and northeastern Spain has suffered major disruption because of the theft of copper cables from a train installation, Spanish rail authorities said Sunday. Thousands of commuters were stranded at train stations in and...

How far has Spain moved past Catalonia's secession crisis? Voters will decide in regional election

May. 10, 2024 12:51 PM EDT

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Carles Puigdemont, Catalonia’s fugitive former leader, stares confidently out the backseat window of a car, the sun illuminating his gaze in a campaign poster for Sunday’s critical elections in the northeastern Spanish region. The image plays on another...