Month: May 2022

Revealing the Dark Angel

What Lionel Johnson awaited was a biographer who shared both his deep Faith and his soaring erudition in order to convey his work both in its true significance to its author, and on its own terms. With Robert Asch, Johnson has at last found him.

Switzerland Renews its Support for Frontex

More than two-thirds of Swiss voters—72%—voted in favour of increasing their contribution to the agency. Their refusal would have had serious repercussions on the overall functioning of the institution.

Drug Trafficking Intensifying in Europe

Though Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru are still the global hubs for cocaine production, European drug traffickers have also joined the production side of the drug trade.

Two More ÖVP Ministers Resign in Austria

These departures mark the 13th and 14th resignations of a minister or chancellor in Austria since the formation of the government in early 2020. The government has ignored the opposition’s demands for new elections.

Qatar and Spain Form “Strategic Alliance”

The Spanish government has avoided providing details about future projects, except that they will be in the areas of ecological transition, digital transition, hydrogen storage, industrial autonomy, and infrastructure.

The Threat to National Independence

The Threat to National Independence

Weak armies, illegal immigration, debt, energy dependence, and unbalanced trade are all undermining the European nation-state, argues Juan Ángel Soto Gómez.

May 19, 2022
Christie’s Toured Masterpiece by Edgar Degas Using Hologram Technology

Christie’s Toured Masterpiece by Edgar Degas Using Hologram Technology

To promote a masterpiece of Edgar Degas for an upcoming auction, Christie’s decided not to physically ship the sculpture around the globe, but instead opted for holographic projections of the work.

May 19, 2022
Ukrainian Conductor Pressured by Ukraine to Cancel Tchaikovsky Performance

Ukrainian Conductor Pressured by Ukraine to Cancel Tchaikovsky Performance

After being pressured by the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture and receiving anonymous threats, Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv had to cancel a performance of a work of Tchaikovsky in Germany.

May 19, 2022
Chinese Researchers Develop ‘Robot Nanny’ to Care for Embryos in Artificial Womb

Chinese Researchers Develop ‘Robot Nanny’ to Care for Embryos in Artificial Womb

Chinese scientists have developed a robotic ‘nanny’ to care for an artificial womb. They assert that this robotic method will be more efficient than natural pregnancy, and sociologists hope that it will also solve the problem of plummeting birth rates in China.

May 19, 2022
Spain Liberalizes Abortion and Declares Menstrual Health a Right

Spain Liberalizes Abortion and Declares Menstrual Health a Right

The draft law maintains the basic 14-week limit on abortion on demand. Its main thrust is to remove safeguards for women such as the 3-day reflection period, and to force public doctors to perform abortions.

May 19, 2022
Spring Forecast Downgrades Economy for 2022

Spring Forecast Downgrades Economy for 2022

While the forecast for inflation-adjusted growth has been downgraded, predictions of inflation remain elevated. A preliminary estimate suggests that euro-zone inflation reached 7.5% in April. Despite this, inflation in the currency area “is projected at 6.1% in 2022, before falling to 2.7% in 2023.”

May 19, 2022
Le Chambon

Le Chambon

It is the ordinary nature of their goodness that makes the story of Le Chambon such a miracle. It was weathered men and women with brittle hands, shiny with callouses from backbreaking work, hard as oak and often gnarled with age, who did these things.

Emmanuel Macron Chooses a Left-Wing Technocrat as Prime Minister

Emmanuel Macron Chooses a Left-Wing Technocrat as Prime Minister

The announcement of Elisabeth Borne’s appointment did not arouse much enthusiasm in the French press. Her profile gives the impression of a default and very bureaucratic choice.

Emulating China: How Social Media Groomed Us for a Social Credit Score System

Emulating China: How Social Media Groomed Us for a Social Credit Score System

Slowly, but surely, the first social credit score systems are being introduced in Europe. But rather than being met with outrage, there seems to be a remarkable indifference among many Europeans. Did the rules of social media condition us to embrace such systems?

May 18, 2022
Johnson Tries to Tame Tensions in Northern Ireland

Johnson Tries to Tame Tensions in Northern Ireland

Dissatisfaction with the protocol has been growing among Unionists and in parts of the UK outside of Northern Ireland. Now the polemics of the protocol have conflated with Northern Irish politics.

May 18, 2022
PM Orbán: “We are the future of Europe, we feel the weight of responsibility”

PM Orbán: “We are the future of Europe, we feel the weight of responsibility”

In his first parliamentary address since April’s landslide victory, Prime Minister Orbán—who took the oath of office for the fifth time—gave a thoroughly sobering prognostication of the decade ahead.

May 18, 2022
Turkey Vows to Block Swedish NATO Entry

Turkey Vows to Block Swedish NATO Entry

The Turkish government is primarily critical of how Sweden has allowed the Kurdish PKK to operate with virtual impunity.

May 18, 2022