Armenia and Azerbaijan: History written in blood
As September 2020 shuddered to a close, the news cycle slalomed between Donald Trump’s pre-election belligerence and the ever-present spectre of COVID in a frenzy. As the global press corps breathlessly reported on every bit of mangled syntax the 45th president of the USA splattered across the political discourse, you’d...
Make America Wait Again: a maddening Presidential Election
In the end, Joe Biden came through at the last to become the President-elect of the USA despite the antics of President Trump who threw even more toys out of his pram. He simply couldn’t believe he hadn’t won. His behaviour was frankly shocking. He would be remembered for the...
Life post Brexit
With the transition period drawing to a close, with or without a trade deal, the Government has issued some information regarding how life will change from next year. This includes alterations to how UK citizens will travel in and out of the EU, what will change if you are an...
1000-year-old smallpox found in Viking skeleton
Scientists have found extinct strains of smallpox in the teeth of Viking skeletons, proving that the disease has plagued humanity for over a millennium. Smallpox is spread from one person to another through infectious droplets.It can kill as many as a third of those who contract it and leave another...
Mississippi and the Lost Cause
Many southern states have a saying: “Thank god for Mississippi.” However badly their state may rank, whether it’s in education, employment, or even life expectancy, they can often count on Mississippi to rank lower than they do.. And one particular source of embarrassment for the Magnolia state is its flag....
Arctic Circle swelters as temperatures break records
The Arctic heatwave shows no signs of cooling, as temperatures around the Arctic Ocean continue to break records. The region recorded its hottest day ever in June (up to 18 degrees Celsius above average), with the small Siberian town of Verkhoyansk hitting 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit). Forest fires can...
Long-Haul Travel During Covid-19
Until recently, long-haul travel was the norm for many. Any given journey began with often-frustrating queues to check-in, drop baggage or pass through security. Only once these administrative hurdles had been overcome could passengers enter into the bustling departures terminal where shops, restaurants and lounges hummed with other eager holiday...
Face Masks?
When Covid 19 first appeared, my first reaction was that it would hit Japan (my area of expertise), particularly badly. We knew at an early stage that Covid 19 has a much higher rate of mortality for the elderly and Japan has the worst demographics in the World. For every...
The Balearic Islands and Catalonia declare facemasks ‘mandatory’ in public
The Balearic Islands have announced that wearing facemasks in public will be mandatory, a ruling that goes beyond the general Spanish mandate that only requires citizens to wear facemasks whilst in ‘close proximity’ to others. This puts the Balearics on a par with Catalonia, who have also gone beyond official...
EU Money which could help nation recover from COVID-19 risks going back to Brussels
More than £730 million in vital EU cash which could help local communities bounce back from COVID-19 risks going unspent and being sent back to Brussels if the funding is not allocated by the Government before the end of the year, councils warn today. The Local Government Association said 24...
