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/Galiza

Following on the heels of my comments on Spain’s public health service, El País reports that 68% of Spaniards believe it’s necessary to strengthen the system. The percentage is much higher among left-wing voters at c. 87%. , compared with right-wing voters at c. 60%

Two women have accused Spain’s international singing star, Julio Iglesias, of sexual assault and sex trafficking. His defenders include some well-known women and at least one observers is claiming that the ensuing row has exposed chasmic fault lines in Spanish society. As he’s 79, final judgment in his trial could well come down after he’s shuffled off this mortal coil.

How Spain does trains better than the UK. And very probably the USA too.

The new manager of Real Madrid didn’t exactly get off to a flying start with his first match last night. In the major domestic cup competition, they were humiliated by a team in the division below theirs.

Local news worth noting has been thin gruel for a while but it’s now thickened up a bit . . .

The chap featured here is an alleged narcotraficante facing 200 years in jail. He doesn’t look too bothered to me.

This street in Santiago de Compostela is said to be the best in the world to eat in. Given that nearly all of it clientele are ‘pilgrims’ or tourists, I suspect this is more accurate as regards quantity than quality. With poor service thrown in.

More on Pig Month up in Lalín.

Well, the new commercial centre on the Vilagarcia road out of Pv city wasn’t finished for Xmas, as I never expected it would be. The latest forecast is July. If it’s not open by then, it certainly won’t be by August or September. Right now, I’d be willing to make a small bet on next Xmas.

Portugal

Rapid tourism success has its downsides.

Iran

The FT’s correspondent reports from Tehran.

This pro-regime commentator from Tehran pooh-poohs the reports of Western media, and might well be right to do so. With possibly thousands dead, the situation now seems to be calm and the revolution has again been postponed. BTW, no indication is given of why Iran – thanks to its support for terrorist groups in other countries and its attacks on Israel – is regarded as a rogue nation. Not to mention providing drones for Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.

The USA

It’s clear that Trump is terrified of being impeached/or imprisoned, should the Democrats win the November mid-terms. There must be a chance that, like every authoritarian leader, he’s thinking of how to rig or even stop the elections – perhaps after declaring yet another phony emergency. In these circumstances, it’s not unusual – even in democracies – for the military to be contingency planning for a ‘temporary’ takeover of power. Would anyone really be surprised if this were happening now in the USA? If not, why not?

Meanwhile, the (clown) show goes on . . .

• Trump: The Vulgarian in Chief.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi: Trump is reported to have repeatedly criticised her for perceived ineffectiveness in pursuing his agenda, including prosecuting former investigators. But it seems that she’s safe for the moment because the WSJ has reported this and Trump doesn’t like being told what to do. Which allegedly saved Hesgeth’s skin.
• “Mr Prime Minister” in the White House: The most hysterical, emotional, unstable, psychotic man on the planet. A white nationalist, Nazi wannabe, complete unhinged psycho. . . An entertaining – if slightly profane – video on, of course, Stephen Miller.
• Mrs Miller: The same ladies on her. At min17.13 she does an impersonation of her husband. Proving my claim that she does a good Magda.

Up to date commentary on:- Bondi’s failings; Federal resignations in the Justice Department; the Clintons’ subpoena; Trump’s right to sack federal appointments; and the political attitudes and intentions of Supreme Court judges.

The good news is that an extraordinarily low percentage of Americans support Trump’s plan to take over Greenland. Whether this will stop a man who only believes what he wants to is altogether another matter.

Quote of the Day

Almost everything the Trump White House does seems deliberately designed to undermine the dollar. Last weekend’s renewed attack on the independence of the Federal Reserve is only the latest example. None of it makes any sense, including the almost certainly hollow promise to cap credit card charges.

The Way of the World/Social Media

Despite its early promise the internet has in many ways become the latest version of the Wild West. Huge tracts of it feel lawless and filled with bandits. What could have been a bright new world has become in many instances just like the dull old one.

Spanish

• Conciliación: Conciliation, reconciliation, settlement, work-life balance, compromise, mediation, and balancing.
• Corrimiento: Shift. Landslide. Bleed.
• Apilar: Stack, pile, pile up,.

Galician

Bakamulo: The name given to huge wild boars weighing around 200 kilos. Possibly a portmanteau word from vaca(cow) and mulo(mule).

English

Chazza: 1. British slang for a charity shop or second-hand store. 3. A nickname for Charles or Charlotte. [Cf. Chazzer, which can mean a messy eater in Yiddish slang].

Did you know?

During a general transport strike In 1911, Winston Churchill – serving as Home Secretary – sent a gunboat to Liverpool. No shells were discharged onto the city but troops who’d been drafted in shot dead 2 strikers. I’m not sure a lot of Brits know this. Even Scousers.

Finally . . .

Dead dog! The endless YouTube ads for tai chi courses for seniors seem to have been superseded by ads for ‘Realistic Girlfriends’! Experience a new kind of digital connection, shaped by your ideas. Sponsored by Get Honey. Possibly all called AIda.

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

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