SEVEN BEST COUNTRIES TO SETTLE IN AFTER THE PANDEMIC »
The pandemic confinement gave people time to ponder their way of life and, accordingly, their place of residence. Spain, next to the UK, is a top choice of those thinking of moving to a new country when the coast is clear. France comes third.
EUROPE SOON TO HAVE A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE VIA ASTRAZENECA »
Earlier this month France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands joined forces to form the Inclusive Vaccine Alliance, in order to have a stronger negotiating position in the race for a coronavirus vaccine. All EU member states will have the opportunity to sign up to the deal, under the same conditions as the
alliance members. But something might go wrong at the last minute and production might just end up where all pipe dreams go — down the drain!
EUROPE’S “HEARTFELT APOLOGY” TO ITALY »
Too many were not there on time when Italy needed a helping hand. For that, it is right that Europe as a whole offers a heartfelt apology. But now the real Europe is standing up, the one that is there for each other when it is needed the most. Now Europe is where paramedics from Poland and doctors from Romania save lives in Italy. Where ventilators from Germany provide a lifeline in Spain. Where hospitals in Czechia treat the sick from France. And where patients from Bergamo are flown to clinics in Bonn. . .
SPAIN, NOVEMBER 2019: A ROAD TO THE FAR RIGHT »
The radical right is “a political ideology, the core element of which is a myth of a homogeneous nation, a romantic and populist ultranationalism which is directed against the concept of liberal and pluralistic democracy. . . It wants government by the people, but in terms of ethnocracy instead of democracy.” Thus, one of the biggest political stories in Spain these days, as a young but stable demo crary, is the sudden and perplexing rise of the reactionary far-right Vox party. In the 10 November 2019 snap election, Vox won no less than 15.09% of the vote. Overnight, it has become Spain’s third largest parliamentary party. Should Spain — and Europe — begin to worry?
THE G-7 SUMMIT IN BIARRITZ AND OTHER TRAVEL TRADITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO SNARL UP TRAFFIC IN THE FRENCH TOWN AND AT THE SPANISH-FRENCH BORDER. BEWARE! »
The dates around the G-7 Summit are, traditionally, a period of high traffic density. It is important to plan trips on the days prior and subsequent to the Summit for those driving in areas close to the Summit location and avoiding, at any event, traveling into France from the Basque Country.
NOTRE DAME GETS A NEW LEASE OF LIFE »
Notre Dame has been in desperate need of funds for years and, at last, more than $900 million have been pledged by private individuals, firms and public institutions toward the rebuilding effort. To bring an ironically happy end to the tragedy, it may be that the fire will be what will allow France to rebuild the cathedral back to its former glory.
MANUEL VALLS, EX-PREMIER OF FRANCE: WILL BARCELONA BE THE GRAVEYARD OF HIS POLITICAL CAREER OR WILL HE BE ELECTED MAYOR AND RISE AGAIN? »
Valls is quite aware of the need to concentrate on local issues rather than playing on the sentiments of those against the independence of Catalonia from Spain. And his long experience in (French) politics will serve his mayoral candidacy well. But he's up against formidable rivals like the highly rated incumbent Mayor Ada Colau and Ernest Maragall, the "foreign minister" of a regional government that's acting up like the government of an independent republic . . . The upcoming municipal election in Barcelona promises to be quite exciting!
THE EUROPEAN UNION’S VERY SPECIAL DAY IN MAY »
So crucial was the Schuman Declaration to Europe that in 1985 the European Council decided to designate the 9th of May as Europe Day, an annual celebration of the peace and unity that the Declaration stands for, in a region that used to be the sorry scene of unremitting armed conflict
SECOND OF MAY: THE MADRILEÑOS, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE & GUERILLA WARFARE »
Dos de Mayo (2 May) is a public holiday in the Autonomous Community of Madrid with heaps of patriotic connotations. It commemorates the heroic rebellion of the Madrileños against the occupation of their city by Napoleon Bonaparte’s troops and the repression by the French Imperial forces. It’s been 210 years!
SCENES OF DOS DE MAYO IN TODAY’S MADRID »
It's been 210 years but the places of Madrid heroism are still there, very much alive and thriving. See them as they are today!
