Month: September 2022

Franco-Swiss Director Jean-Luc Godard Dies at 91

The death of Jean-Luc Godard marks the end of an era of filmmaking. Celebrated for his early contributions to the French Nouvelle Vague, his later work stayed true to his political activism and the self-referential Zeitgeist of the 1960s.

Armenian Church in Germany Calls for Help

Following the attacks on Armenian territory by Azerbaijani forces, the German Diocese of the Armenian Church released an “urgent request” calling for national and international support “to work towards ending this escalation.”

Azerbaijan Initiates Intense Bombing on Armenia

Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan said he hoped for “an appropriate response from the international community” to Azerbaijan’s aggression. For the time being, a response is slow in coming.

The Unlikely Survival of Sacred Office

Placing one’s social role ahead of one’s personal preferences is certainly a sacrifice, but the assumption by some that such a sacrifice must make it impossible to live authentically or happily is far from being true.

COVID-19: Mea Culpa, From the Former French Health Minister

In the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, French authorities communicated extensively about the ineffectiveness of the mask. The government went so far as to suppress its distribution, sale, and use in the public arena.

Queen Elizabeth’s Final Farewell to Scotland

For her final journey, the Queen took many hours to reach Edinburgh, using a special route of over 300 kilometres, which took her through towns and villages so that her subjects could bid her a final farewell.

Von der Leyen Faulted for Lack of Transparency in Pfizer Deal

It is not the first time that von der Leyen fell under an EU body’s scrutiny. In late January this year, the European Ombudsman launched an investigation to ascertain her role in negotiations with the U.S. pharmaceutical.

ECB Raises Interest Rates to 0.75%

ECB Raises Interest Rates to 0.75%

The expected raising of the interest rate by the ECB sent a short-term positive signal to the stock market.

September 12, 2022
Swedish Right Holds Edge in Vote Count

Swedish Right Holds Edge in Vote Count

The Islamist party performed well in urban areas with large immigrant populations. This likely deprived the social democrats of votes critical to winning the parliamentary election.

September 12, 2022
Alleged Israeli Strike on Syrian Airport

Alleged Israeli Strike on Syrian Airport

The target of the strikes was apparently a warehouse storing materials used by Iran-backed militias.

September 12, 2022
Why Bother?

Why Bother?

Perhaps people have bought into the various scarcity programs of recent years—the scarcity of social contacts during the pandemic, scarcity of energy, scarcity of food—because it makes them feel alive again.

September 12, 2022
The Future of Les Républicains in Question

The Future of Les Républicains in Question

One of the problems often identified for the Les Républicains party is the gap between the leaders, tempted by centrism, and the militant base, much more conservative.

September 11, 2022
Albania Accuses Iran of Cyberattack, Cuts Ties

Albania Accuses Iran of Cyberattack, Cuts Ties

The Iranian foreign ministry has roundly rejected Albania’s accusation that Iran is behind a cyber attack.

September 11, 2022
Tunisian Opposition to Boycott Elections

Tunisian Opposition to Boycott Elections

The parliamentary election follows President Kais Saied’s dissolution of the parliament in July 2021.

September 11, 2022
Researchers Capture Effects of Tourism on Dried-up Spanish Lake

Researchers Capture Effects of Tourism on Dried-up Spanish Lake

Despite this year’s drought, which reduced the regional wildlife’s habitat to one-third of its usual size, the strawberry industry suffered very little.

September 11, 2022
Spain’s Pharmacists Obliged to Dispense Emergency Contraception

Spain’s Pharmacists Obliged to Dispense Emergency Contraception

Pharmacists’ professional associations want to see their right to conscientious objection specifically recognized in the law to avoid legal problems.

September 11, 2022
Energy, Inflation, and Taxes

Energy, Inflation, and Taxes

This essay may not be a plug-and-play survival guide to inflation, but it should help to explain where you can go and what information you can find, in order to educate yourself on inflation, specifically energy costs.

September 11, 2022
Sympathy for the Devil: The Unlikely Uses of Michel Foucault

Sympathy for the Devil: The Unlikely Uses of Michel Foucault

To use the Foucauldian jargon, the new left-wing aristocrats are forever manufacturing ‘epistemes’—that is, structures of knowledge—which serve to sustain their dominance of Western society.

September 11, 2022
EU Energy Ministers: Discord over Price Cap for Russian Gas

EU Energy Ministers: Discord over Price Cap for Russian Gas

A leaked draft EU law envisioning a mandatory 5% cut in electricity use during peak price hours proved controversial.

September 10, 2022