Awake, for morning in the bowl of night has flung the stone that puts
the stars to flight.
And, lo, the hunter of the east has caught the sultan’s turret in a noose of light!

Spanish life is not always likeable but it is compellingly loveable – Christopher Howse: ‘A Pilgrim in Spain.

Cosas de España

I heard years ago that Maltese kids were the only ones is Europe fatter than Spanish kids. I found this hard to believe, on the basis of what I could see around me. But this week come forecasts that only Greece will have fatter citizens that Spain by 2030. And that Spain will be in the top 10 globally, though still ‘bested’ by Greece.

Lenox Napier brings us here an amusing tale of years ago, involving something that used to be a lot more popular with the Spanish than it is these days, I believe.

Those funny Spanish film titles again . .

Portugal

A role model for the rest of Europe?

Hidden gems that are no longer hidden, having been exposed in the Daily Mail.

Europe

Still reeling.

The USA

As hinted at by his Commerce Secretary, Trump has ‘paused’ – a word doing some heavy lifting these days – the tariffs just imposed on cars and car parts. Not decisive but, as I’ve said, an ignoramus who doesn’t know what he’s doing. No one should be surprised.

Nor is it a shock that Marco Rubio has been sidelined. According to sources close to the White House, Rubio is often the last to know when foreign policy decisions are made, despite being the administration’s top diplomat. This is almost certainly for not being sycophantic enough. If he has any self-respect he’ll resign after a decent interval. A positive take on this? . . . This situation highlights the ongoing tensions within the Trump administration and raises questions about the cohesiveness of its foreign policy approach.

Another non-surprise – despite being pronounced eliminated in 2000, there are several outbreaks of measles around the country. You can surely guess what causes these. The death of a child in, I think, Texas won’t be the last. Will Mr Kennedy also resign???

It’s very hard to believe the claim that 40% of (US)Americans are pro Russia. Possibly even higher than in Moldovia’s breakaway region. Is it purely the madness of Trump behind this statistic?

Another lie check on Trump’s address to Congress. And what’s said to be his biggest lie.

Russia

Increasingly agog at their (timely) good fortune.

Ukraine

Trump’s disgusting withdrawal of aid and intelligence leaves Zelensky having to agree to a plan, the precise (or any) nature of which he knows nothing, other than – as Russian commentators are triumphantly proclaiming – no demands have been made on the Kremlin.

Quotes/Observations

• Trump’s address to Congress was 10 minutes longer than The Lion King and had twice as much lyin’ in it: Jimmy Kimmel
• Millions are saying it was the best speech ever: Guess who.
• The Supreme Court is as corrupt as Trump and MAGA: John Roberts
• The USA is becoming increasingly Russianised – government by an autocrat, in the interests of himself and powerful, corrupt oligarchs.
• Wall Street knows that Trump is a pathological liar who knows nothing about economics.
• The stock market crashed on the day of Trump’s speech and he said nothing at all about the stock market during 99 mins. Compare this with his previous claims for personal credit when it rose.
• Musk’s AI machine Grok, when asked what the probability is of Putin having something on Trump, came up with a long answer which ended with an estimate of greater than 90%. And this was before Trump helped Russia by stopping the supply of critical satellite information to the Ukrainians.
• At least North Korean sycophantic parliamentarians stay in their seats when clapping the Dear Leader in unison. They don’t leap up out of their seats.
• If you were a 3rd world resident watching Trump addressing Congress, would the US model of democracy have much appeal for you?
• An interesting statement from Robert de Niro.

The Way of the World

A new paradigm for our times – The Three Smirking Monkeys . . . who speak, see and hear only evil.

Bear in mind that the majority of (spineless) Republicans are said to regard Trump as an imbecile. I imagine that Vance is among them. Should make President, then.

Spanish

• De pelotas: Naked. [‘Balls out’, I guess]
• Trufar: To stuff (with)
• Trastocar: Disrupt, subvert, upend,

Did you know?

Trump’s transgender mice, were actually transgenic mice, used in cancer research. He very possibly knew this, of course. But even more possibly doesn’t know the difference.

You Have to Laugh??

I was told a Spanish joke yesterday which I’m not sure I understood. If I heard it correctly . . .

• ¿Qué pasaría si en la cuna de Belén hubiera 3 bebés?
• Habría tres hijos [Tres Jesús????]

Finally . . .

Rita Hayworth – a star of Hollywood’s Golden Age – was really Margarita Carmen Cansino, and half Spanish. As you can see here and here, she was not only a red-haired beauty but also exceptionally talented. But she married frequently, became alcoholic and died, at only 68, of complications arising from Alzheimer’s. A star that shot in both directions, then.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

The Usual Links . . .

• You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re published. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. If you do this but don’t read the posts, I will delete your subscription. So perhaps don’t bother if you have other reasons for subscribing . . .
• For new readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.
• For those thinking of moving to Spain:– This is an extremely comprehensive and accurate guide to the challenge, written by a Brit who lives in both the North and the South and who’s very involved in helping Camino walkers. And this is something on the so-called Beckham Rule, which is beneficial – tax-wise – for folk who want to work here. Finally, some advice on getting a mortgage. And this article ‘debunks claims re wealth and residency taxes’. Probably only relevant if you’re a HNWI. In which case, you’ll surely know what that stands for.

My thanks to those readers who take the trouble to Like my posts.

The Usual Links . . .

• You can get my posts by email as soon as they’re published. With the added bonus that they’ll contain the typos I’ll discover later. I believe there’s a box for this at the bottom of each post. If you do this but don’t read the posts, I will delete your subscription. So perhaps don’t bother if you have other reasons for subscribing . . .
• For new readers: If you’ve landed here looking for info on Galicia or Pontevedra, try here. If you’re passing through Pontevedra on the Camino, you’ll find a guide to the city there.
• For those thinking of moving to Spain:– This is an extremely comprehensive and accurate guide to the challenge, written by a Brit who lives in both the North and the South and who’s very involved in helping Camino walkers. And this is something on the so-called Beckham Rule, which is beneficial – tax-wise – for folk who want to work here. But you would do well to click here on this. Finally, some advice on getting a mortgage. And this article ‘debunks claims re wealth and residency taxes’. Probably only relevant if you’re a HNWI. In which case, you’ll surely know what that stands for.