This week’s top stories from EL PAÍS English Edition

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English Edition Dear readers, Political uncertainty in Catalonia continues after ousted Catalan premier Carles Puigdemont confessed "it's all over" in leaked text messages.  With the investiture session indefinitely delayed, there are concerns Catalonia is heading towards another political impasse.  Meanwhile, Spain has been hit by a cold front with snow and ice forcing four highways to close. And finally, our most-read stories of the week unpicks an unflattering guide on "How to be Spanish" from the British daily The Times. Thanks for reading the English Edition of EL PAÍS. We hope you enjoy this selection of articles. Melissa Kitson Bullfighting hipster anyone? / getty TRANS-IBERIAN BLOG Why 'The Sunday Times' guide to 'How to be Spanish' missed the mark Simon Hunter Madrid An article written by the paper's chief travel writer has raised the ire of Spaniards online, but left English Edition editor Simon Hunter somewhat conflicted CATALAN CRISIS Catalan ex-premier in texts: "It's over. Our own followers have given us up" El País Madrid In messages captured by a television cameraman, pro-independence leader Carles Puigdemont appears to admit defeat to central government after latest setback weather Snow and ice bring fresh chaos to one of Spain's major freeways El País Madrid Four major roads have been temporarily closed off while authorities issue dozens of weather alerts and warn about weekend conditions Seniors on a Madrid street. / V. S. Economy Retired Spaniards earn more than the national average Antonio Maqueda Madrid Economists say retirees in the 66-75 age bracket earn more than the average Spaniard thanks to steady pensions and high unemployment Women from Pandora's Box. / A.G. Gender equality Spanish #MeToo movement demands justice for sexual abuse victims Carmen Morán Madrid Women's group Pandora's Box calls for an end to impunity in sexual harassment cases Spain 40-40 Jean-Claude Juncker: "Nationalism is the real war" Claudi Pérez Brussels At a forum organized by EL PAÍS, the president of the European Commission warned of the rise of the far right INTERVIEW Alhambra Nievas: The female referee proving rugby is not just a man's game Fiona Tomas The Spaniard is blazing a trail for women in the sport, becoming the first woman to be the main ref in an international men's rugby test match Natalia Ortiz / C.R. Armed Forces I'm 24 and a soldier in an infantry unit Antonia Laborde Madrid Natalia Ortiz is one of the growing number of people who see the Armed Forces as a vocation María Elosegui at the Zaragoza law school. / A. C. Interview | María Elósegui Itxaso Are you in favor of gay marriage? "I'm not going to answer that" María Fabra Zaragoza The first Spanish female judge appointed to the European Court of Human Rights says her beliefs on gay rights will not influence rulings Ricardo Sánchez / J.C.T. science The hidden geography under the Strait of Gibraltar Jesús A. Cañas Cádiz A new study on the movement of currents from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean can help gain a better understanding of climate change Six in 10 adults are overweight in Narón. / GETTY verne in english A challenge worth the weight, as Galician town looks to shed 100,000 kilos Brenda Valverde The La Coruña locality Narón has launched an innovative diet project to tackle spiraling obesity rates Cartoons Ros Ros Ros cartoon, February 2, 2018 Opinion A reality check for the leaders of Catalan independence Rulings of the Supreme Court and the weakened position of Carles Puigdemont are seeing the cracks in the pro-secessionist movement grow The price to pay for the political paralysis in Catalonia The speaker's decision to adjourn the investiture session indefinitely also puts self-rule on hold Thanks readers! Sign up for more newsletters from EL PAÍS » You have received this communication because you have registered with EL PAÍS and you have subscribed to the ENGLISH EDITION editorial newsletter. If you believe you have received this message due to an error or you want to stop receiving this bulletin at the email address tworaho.mail18@blogger.com, you can unsubscribe. In addition, you can change your preferences by accessing your profile. At any time you can exercise your rights to access, rectify, cancel or object via post by writing to EDICIONES EL PAÍS, at the following address: Miguel Yuste, 40. 28037; or by writing to PROMOTORA DE INFORMACIONES, S.A. (PRISA), at the address Gran Vía, 32 - Madrid 28013, writing on the envelope: "DERECHOS LOPD" and including a photocopy of your identity card or passport and explaining your request.