Yesterday, the Spanish national football squad won its first World Cup semifinal. A
distinguished supporter insisted on personally congratulating them
in the locker room. (SLYT, but priceless. Watch in particular the hero of the match enter the frame around 1:16).
posted by Skeptic
on Jul 8, 2010 -
83 comments
Western Sahara has the dubious distinction of being the subject of probably the most forgotten-about post-colonial conflict in the world. Until 1975, the Spanish government considered Western Sahara a Spanish province, just as much an integral part of its territory as any of its provinces in the Iberian peninsula. However, at the beginning of the 70s, a burgeoning pro-independence movement, and increasing appetites of its Northern and Southern neighbours, Marocco and Mauritania, led to a
UN visiting mission in early 1975, which found that
"there was an overwhelming consensus among Saharans within the Territory in favour of independence and opposing integration with any neighbouring country". This finding was given additional support by an
opinion by the International Court of Justice supporting the Sahrawis right to self-determination against the claims of neighbouring nations.
[more inside]
posted by Skeptic
on Nov 30, 2009 -
35 comments
The O'Donnell clan claims descendancy (like, dare I say,
a significant part of the Irish population), from
Niall of the Nine Hostages, legendary
High King of Ireland.
The O'Donnell clan ruled over the kingdom of Tyrconnell, in modern-day
County Donegal, well into the modern age. However, after the discovery of the
Gunpowder Plot, Rory O'Donnell, Earl of Tyrconnell, fled Ireland together with Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone, in the
Flight of the Earls.
[more inside]
posted by Skeptic
on Oct 18, 2008 -
19 comments
Among European countries, Spain has been
hit particularly badly by the global credit crisis. Miguel Marina, a recently unemployed real estate agent (what else?) has been one of its victims. Unable to keep up with his mortgage payments or to find a buyer for his home, he has found an original solution: he's
raffling his
apartment at 5€ a ticket.
[more inside]
posted by Skeptic
on May 28, 2008 -
20 comments
