This project has been coordinated by the Scientific Communication Unit of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) and the Catalan Chemical Research Institute (ICIQ) It is published jointly by Publicacions URV and the Piscina The story was presented at the Public Library of Tarragona in an event attended by the nine URV and ICIQ researchers who feature in the story the authors and the two institutions that have coordinated the project publicity and 3D printing are among the different research themes dealt with in the book with chocolate forming the common denominator to each story The stories are written in a language that is specially adapted for an infant audience The story's content is based on the Science of Chocolate workshops which have been organised for the last two years by the URV and the ICIQ at different libraries in the local area The aim of the project is to promote interest in scientific careers and to do so by helping to normalize the presence of women in science All of the women leading the workshops are researchers at the URV and the ICIQ and the book's protagonist is a girl who has fun learning about science through the medium of chocolate The book has been published in Catalan and Spanish and can be bought from bookshops. There is also an English version that can be downloaded free from the Publicacions URV website: http://www.publicacions.urv.cat Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system. Copyright © 2025 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Amid a years-long drought, Catalans are happy to see the sight of rain falling on Friday across the territory.  The southern half of Catalonia saw the heaviest rainfall this Friday morning, with nearly 40mm falling in the seaside town of Torredembarra. Friday has seen rain practically all across the region, although little fell in the north-east. The south of the territory is where the heaviest rainfall was seen, as Tarragona saw 37.2mm; Ametlla de Mar 35.5mm; Mont-roig del Camp 31.3mm, and Vinyols and les Arcs 31.2mm. These data counted up until 11:30 pm on Friday night. Meanwhile, the precipitation led to snow in the Pyrenees. Climate minister David Mascort celebrates the fact it's raining in much of the country on Friday morning. "It was about time," he exclaimed at the start of a speech at a department event in Mataró. Mascort, however, warned that a one-off day of rain won't bring Catalonia out of drought. "If it doesn't rain much more in the coming weeks we will have to declare an emergency," he said. Get the day's biggest stories right to your phone The most iconic Christmas activities to enjoy with your family the Costa Daurada shines brightly with its unique blend of traditions and modern attractions that captivate all ages every town offers a festive programme filled with activities that combine magic and top-tier entertainment for the whole family Get ready to enjoy an unforgettable holiday season Here are the must-see highlights of Christmas 2024-25 on the Costa Daurada 🎁 20 Original Christmas Gifts on the Costa Daurada The dreamy Christmas at Tarragona’s Port returns stronger than ever, offering over a hundred free activities for the whole family around the Serrallo neighbourhood, the Moll de Costa, and the Museu del Port the Port transforms into a magical place with attractions such as Tinglado 1 turned into the Toy Factory with sustainable workshops and activities; Tinglado 2 hosting the immersive exhibition A Sea of Light; and Refugi 1 transformed into the Royal Warehouse of the Pages there’s the Christmas Market on Passeig dels Estels and the Food Trucks offering local delicacies A highlight is the Christmas Concert on December 23rd Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience Christmas in a sustainable setting Discover the Costa Daurada’s most iconic living nativity scene, where over 400 volunteers will bring biblical scenes and traditional crafts to life in a magical setting. This nativity scene takes place at the Masia de Castelló, located in Hospitalet de l’Infant and Vall de Llors Tickets cost €12 for adults and €7 for children (ages 4-9). Viewings of the nativity scene and its surroundings are scheduled every 30 minutes, and reservations must be made through their website The Sand Nativity Scene of La Pineda celebrates its 25th anniversary with breathtaking giant sand sculptures stretching over 150 linear metres—double the size of last year These ephemeral masterpieces have been created by nine international artists and sculptors visitors can enjoy the daily artisan market and the traditional carol singing on December 6th at 12 p.m and fun by the sea in one of the most iconic Christmas destinations on the Costa Daurada Reus is the ultimate shopping destination this Christmas, with its magical atmosphere. Stroll through the traditional market in Plaça Mercadal, the local artist stalls at Navàs Market from December 16 to 21, and the craft market at El Pallol Shopping Centre all in a lively centre thanks to local shops and festive Christmas lights Meanwhile, Salou invites you to explore special promotions and spectacular decorations in the heart of the city where unique stores offer one-of-a-kind Christmas shopping experiences found only in the capital of the Costa Dorada Two ideal destinations for shopping in an authentic Christmas atmosphere Torredembarra combines tradition and sport during the festive season with activities for all audiences The Christmas Triathlon brings together events to stay active in a festive and holiday atmosphere The First Swim of the Year in Torredembarra is one of the most iconic events on the Costa Daurada This refreshing tradition on January 1st offers you the chance to start the year with a splash in Torredembarra And then enjoying a comforting cup of hot chocolate with traditional cake But the swim is just the cherry on top of a programme full of festive activities where costumes and joy fill the streets to bid farewell to the year A healthy and vibrant Christmas you won’t want to miss On January 5th, the Three Wise Men arrive in Tarragona by sea by sea at the Serrallo at 6:15 p.m. they board their floats to begin the grand parade at 7:00 p.m. travelling through streets like the Rambla Nova and concluding at Plaça de la Font at 8:30 p.m. where they receive the keys to the city to deliver Christmas gifts A parade that captivates both young and old 🎁 Original Christmas Gifts on the Costa Daurada Today in History: March 29, 2002: Train crash kills two in Spain 1867 - US purchases Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million (Dh26.48 million). 1870 - The 15th amendment to the US Constitution, giving black men the right to vote, takes effect. 1909 - Queensboro Bridge, linking the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, opens. 1945 - Soviet Union invades Austria during the Second World War. 1967 - Nato formally closes its military headquarters in France. 1974 - Chinese jetliner arrives in New York in what is described as the first civilian flight from Chinese mainland to US. 1981 - US President Ronald Reagan is shot and wounded outside a Washington hotel. 1990 - Estonia’s parliament declares Soviet Union an occupying power and pledges to seek full independence. 1993 - Israel closes the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 1998 - German automaker BMW buys Rolls-Royce for $570 million. 2002 - Britain’s Queen Mother dies at the age of 101. 2007 - Nepal’s seven ruling political parties and the country’s former Maoist rebels agree to form a joint government. 2009 - The Arab League rejects an international arrest warrant issued against Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir. 2010 - The world’s largest atom smasher sets a record for high-energy collisions in a tunnel below the Swiss-French border at Geneva. 2013 - Kenya’s Supreme Court upholds the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as the country’s next president. Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox Dear Reader, Gulf News is innovating again Looking back: 45 years of the Volkswagen Golf GTI It’s been 15 years since Bugatti broke 400kph barrier! Do you know how Mercedes got its now world-famous name? A new DANA or 'cold drop', the weather phenomenon responsible for the devastating floods in Valencia, hit Catalonia again on Wednesday. The southern parts of Catalonia bore the brunt of the storm, with some areas recording over 40 liters per square meter in just half an hour. The five hardest hit regions were Tarragonès, Montsià, Baix Ebre, Ribera d'Ebre and Baix Camp. Montsià and Baix Ebre were even placed under red alert (level 5 out of 6) from noon to 6 pm. In the five counties, schools and universities were closed, affecting more than 400 educational centers with a total of 12,864 students. Mobility was also restricted as a precautionary measure, with restrictions on the AP-7, C-14, N-340, T-11, N-420, TV-3141, A-7, N-240 and C-37 roads until midnight. Due to the restrictions, Catalonia's main highway, the AP-7, saw long queues in the morning as the police Mossos d'Esquadra enforced the restrictions. Many drivers facing Mossos d'Esquadra controls were confused, and some even angry, as most of those affected were truck drivers. Francisco Moya, a freelancer working for a frozen produce company, had to do a different route early in the morning to travel from Barcelona to Constantí, near Tarragona. "The highway was blocked from Torredembarra, and I had to do a large diversion to reach my destination," Moya told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). He said the blockade was a "little bit excessive," adding that police should take into account his job. At 6 pm, the Mossos d'Esquadra lifted the controls on all the roads and the mobility restrictions, as authorities considered the episode to be over. Trains were also affected, with the Rodalies commuter train lines reducing service throughout the day. The affected lines were: the R15, not working between Reus and Zaragoza, the R16, with speed restrictions, the R17, suspended between Tarragona and Salou - Port Aventura. In the afternoon, all trains between Barcelona and Valencia were suspended due to the DANA storm. The 112 emergency number received 656 calls about rain-related incidents by 4 pm.  Most of the incidents occurred in southern Catalonia, but some were also recorded in the Barcelona area in the morning.  Despite the high number of calls, no major incidents have been reported so far. Greenpeace has been highlighting the fundamental need for affordable, accessible public transport around the world accessible transport can transform both urban and rural communities removing the need for cars that cause pollution and instead providing a lifeline for people to receive healthcare or to visit friends – having reliable affordable public transport gives people the freedom to move through life we gathered some global stories to show how the need for public transport is as diverse as it is universal Joana is a high school teacher in Tarragona If the train that Joana normally gets turns out to be a short train with fewer carriages Joana has to run to make sure she can board Many people will be forced to wait for the next one and those who make the train may have to stand for the duration of the journey Joana will be late if the train is delayed or if she cannot get on There is no alternative as buses don’t stop locally Joana takes the train because she can save money with a frequent traveler pass and prevent the emissions created by driving but with more frequent and reliable trains “The city of Tarragona has a bad transport system due to its infrequency and that harms my social and cultural life because I do not dare to move from home if I do not have an accessible means of public transport.” Thank you Joana!Millions of people depend on public transport. It's also a powerful ally against the climate crisis and inequalities. For all these reasons, governments must do everything they can to make it simpler, more affordable and more accessible.#MobilityWeek2023 pic.twitter.com/Ej0YTrbtoM Bea Dolores commutes daily from her province which is a standard mode of transport in provincial areas The tricycle takes Bea to her next stop where she gets a Jeepney an iconic mode of Filipino public transport that connects towns and people making it less friendly for senior citizens or people with disabilities to catch a bus (which won’t depart until it’s full) The bus journey is followed by another major footbridge particularly challenging for cyclists who need to carry their bikes over the bridge She then walks more than 500 meters to the Metro station where people form long queues for tickets if they don’t have reloadable travel cards (Bea travels often so she does have one of these) she runs for the train and stands until she reaches her stop “This journey reflects the resilience of the Filipino people but wouldn’t it be wonderful if every journey was an opportunity to thrive.” Yuma is an intern at the Greenpeace office in Tokyo She lives in a town called Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture Sometimes she is lucky to get a ride to the closest station which takes about 15 minutes by car Buses no longer service the area because of its declining population she has a choice between the Shinkansen (bullet train) or regular trains which are slower and cheaper Either option is better than a car in terms of emissions Yuma gets a 20% student discount on train tickets When it’s early the trains are not too crowded and Yuma can read or sleep in her seat She is also able to work from home but travels to Tokyo up to three times a week Being in the office provides valuable experience and communication with her Greenpeace colleagues I really feel that the freedom to travel and access to transportation has so much to do with your learning opportunities and future options I wish I could come to the office more frequently but three days a week is the maximum in terms of time I really wish that travel and transport will be accessible and affordable for everyone.” Meet Yuma, @GreenpeaceJP intern, whose journey from outside of Tokyo to the office spans 3 hours one way! ?As a student, she's fortunate to snag a public transport discount. Yuma also takes her role seriously in reducing carbon emissions by using trains. However… [1/3] pic.twitter.com/zHopFuvNvK Public transport is powerful connecting communities and boosting entire societies Improving infrastructure for cycling and walking, investing in safe, reliable and affordable public transport, and ensuring universal access to such transport should be a priority for governments around the world. It’s an easy win for social and climate justice and directly links to a better quality of life. Lauren Kemp is a communications consultant based in London A study linking chemicals found in plastics to heart disease was recently released by researchers at New York University Langone Health. The researchers found that phthalates used in common plastic products like food packaging have contributed to over 350,000 global deaths from heart disease in 2018.  More than a hundred young people from Marikina last Saturday called on local and national candidates to stand up for corporate accountability and to make climate polluters pay climate-affected communities for damages. Plenty of businesses are starting their own sustainability initiatives, but only a few large companies are taking serious steps to slowly phase out single-use plastics from their operations. Stepping up… Please select which cookies you are willing to store. These cookies will provide you a better experience of our website. You will be able to hide the cookies acceptance banner and use the website features better. The non-acceptance of these cookies will give you a cookie-free experience. These cookies help improving the performance of Greenpeace.org. They are set to collect data such as how long users stay on a page or which links are clicked. This helps us make better content based on your experience navigating the website. 75 mm rainfall in Catalan capital in only 30 minutes, prompting some 180 services by firefighters ACN | Barcelona A heavy storm in between 3am and 4am on Thursday morning in the Barcelona area has affected the underground service with some stations flooded after the torrential rain.  In the early morning trains did not stop at the Paral·lel and and Poble Sec stations on Line 3 and between Paral·lel and Sagrada Família on Line 2 Some accesses in the Line 1 were also flooded According to the underground company TMB website the service returned to normality with trains stopping at all stations by 9.30am some buildings were also flooded on the ground floor The fire brigade had to attend to 180 incidences between 4am and 7am in the capital.  Firefighters also carried out around 30 actions across Catalonia for floodings fallen trees and problems with electrical installations the Filmoteca cinema center Filmoteca and the Barcelona Maritime Museum have been shut down due to flooding after the storm as well.  The storm was especially intense for 30 minutes between 3am and 4am in the Barcelona and Tarragona areas.  75mm of rain fell in Barcelona 21 mm in Torredembarra and 23 mm in Gisclareny Caught in the middle: Hannah with ex Nathan (Stephen Mangan) and new guy Archie (Toby Stephens) We are family: The Defoe sisters are as close as ever All smiles: Will there be more to come from The Split after the trip to Barcelona Nicola Walker on filming BBC legal drama The Split’s two-part wedding special in sunny Barcelona and why Hannah and Nathan still love each other… which sees Nicola Walker’s formidable divorce lawyer Hannah Defoe and her family gather for a beautiful wedding And What To Watch was on the guest list!  her sisters Nina (Annabel Scholey) and Rose (Fiona Button) their mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay) and Hannah’s now ex-husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan) descend on a magnificent vineyard as Hannah and Nathan’s eldest daughter Liv (Elizabeth Roberts) prepares to wed her Spanish beau As Hannah wonders if she herself might ever find love again can family lawyer Archie Moore (Black Sails’ Toby Stephens) encourage her to take a leap of faith As the cast and crew gather on a very windy Platja de Canyadell a picturesque beach situated in the town of Torredembarra for filming What To Watch catches up with Nicola to find out more…  writer Abi Morgan and exec producer Jane Featherstone talked about doing more and I know we all really love each other and would love the opportunity to work together again When Jane and Abi confirmed there would be a special shot in Barcelona It’s been great being out of our usual office environment and not being able to hide under our desks It’s lovely filming on the beach but very windy - hopefully we won’t need to do too much in ADR!" Hannah and Nathan have been divorced for two years and he has this whole new life now; new wife Kate two new children… even a new earring He hasn’t brought his new family to the wedding so we get to see how Nathan and Hannah are coping with divorce; their marriage is clearly over but it’s not ‘the end’." "Hannah and Nathan have a totally different relationship now They’ll always be connected because of their children I think they're lovelier together not being married Though they now find each other intensely irritating - there’s lots of amusing bickering and sparring between them…" reviews and unmissable series to watch and more who’s at the wedding to see that Liv and Gael’s pre-nuptial agreement is signed Archie’s long-time friends with Gael’s father Alvaro (Manu Fullola) and mother Valentina (Romina Cocca) Viewers will think the drama’s about the pre-nup for this upcoming wedding - but we soon learn there are issues in Alvaro and Valentina’s ‘perfect’ marriage." "The scenes with the sisters are really funny Nina has a new partner and the Defoes are not backwards in coming forwards about how they feel about him All three sisters are honest about their faults; they’ve all made terrible decisions and are all fallible The sisters are the antidote to TV’s idea of 'strong’ female leads The Split is a drama about divorce and people falling out of love but Abi describes it as a Trojan horse purely designed to talk about love in all its forms there’s a wedding in this special but it’s about what matters in life - and that's family Abi lets the audience laugh… then likes to deliver a dagger to the heart "We’ve all been together for seven years on this show we all get on so well and lots has happened in our real lives off camera Whether there’s more for The Split depends on whether Abi feels she’s got something new to say The Split: Barcelona airs on Sunday 29 December and Monday 30 December at 9pm on BBC1 Victoria WilsonFeature Writer for What’s on TV TV & Satellite Week and WhatToWatch.comWith over 20 years’ experience writing about TV and film Vicky currently writes features for What’s on TV TV & Satellite Week magazines plus news and watching guides for WhatToWatch.com a job which involves chatting to a whole host of famous faces Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice UK among her fave shows you might find Vicky in therapy… retail therapy that is!  you will then be prompted to enter your display name Fact vs Fiction: Godfather of Harlem season 4 episode 4 — who is Afeni Shakur Malpractice season 2 episode 3 recap: A new patient at Willow Ward spells huge trouble for James - but who is it Netflix adds new World War Two doc about Britain's darkest days — and it includes first-hand accounts