Wolves Return to Catalonia

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on the return of wolves to the Catalan region of Spain. Even though there have been attacks on sheep, local farmers say they think it’s good that wolves have returned. Download MP3

Protecting small businesses in Spain

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Spain’s Catalonia region has policies protecting small local businesses from big chains and malls. But now the European Union says those rules are illegal. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports on the big chain-local business debate in Barcelona. Download MP3

A Catalonian Christmas tradition

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports a Christmas tradition in the Catalonian region of Spain. It will strike you as unusual and might strike you as offensive. It is a figure in the Catalonian nativity scene called the “pooper.” Download MP3

Video: The caganer in Christmas
Slideshow: A Catalonian tradition

Sex and violence drive political ads in Spain

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The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Barcelona in the Catalan region of Spain, where voters go to the polls on Sunday.While the dominant issue is the economy, campaign ads that use sex and violence are getting all the attention. Download MP3

Entire program – January 6, 2010

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Today on The World: The debate over how to fix the way US intelligence agencies process the information they collect; also, why one region in Spain – Catalonia – is considering a ban on bullfighting; plus – Chinese violin-makers are turning out top-quality instruments…and making Italian violin-makers nervous!

Catalonia to vote on bullfighting ban

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Animal lovers in one corner of Spain ended the year on a happy note. The Parliament of Catalonia has agreed to vote on whether to ban bullfighting. It is already relatively unpopular among Catalans but activists had to fight for years just to get the issue before legislators. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage

Catalans stage mock secession vote

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Yesterday, 166 towns in Spain held a vote on whether to secede from the country. It all took place in the semi-autonomous region of Catalonia. The voting was purely symbolic, because secession votes are actually illegal in Spain. Catalan separatists organized the mock event because many Catalans are upset with the central government in Madrid. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports. Download MP3 (Photo: Gerry Hadden)

• Video: Catalans weigh in on independence
• BBC coverage

The cost of getting lost in Catalonia

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The government in Spain’s northwest region of Catalonia says it spends about 3-million dollars a year rescuing ill-prepared hikers from the region’s mountains…but no more. Now it’s charging reckless hikers for their rescues. The World’s Gerry Hadden explains.