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THE ROAD TO THE 2027 BARCELONA ELECTION

  Barcelona is approaching its next municipal election, scheduled for 23 May 2027 . The campaign is expected to be dominated by questions about what kind of city Barcelona should become and how its limited space and resources should be managed. The current mayor, Jaume Collboni of the PSC , is expected to seek another term. Other major candidates include Jordi Martí Galbis of Junts, Elisenda Alamany of ERC, Gerardo Pisarello of Barcelona en Comú, Daniel Sirera of the PP and Jordi Aragonès of Aliança Catalana . Vox had not yet finalised its candidate in the latest reports. One of the most pressing issues is housing. Barcelona has experienced intense pressure on the housing market, while access to affordable accommodation has become a major concern for many residents. Candidates disagree about how much the government should intervene in the market, whether more regulation is necessary and how much new housing should be built. Tourism is another contentious issue. Barcelona benefits...

Barcelona Elections Lesson for Monday

Zaragoza

 Zaragoza is one of Spain’s most historically fascinating cities and the capital of Aragón. Located in northeastern Spain, it stands on the banks of the Ebro River , one of the country's longest rivers. Although it is less internationally famous than Barcelona or Madrid, Zaragoza has a rich combination of history, architecture, food and local traditions. One of the city's most important landmarks is the Basilica del Pilar , an enormous baroque church overlooking the Ebro. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the apostle Saint James at this location. The basilica has become one of Zaragoza's most recognisable symbols and an important destination for visitors. Another fascinating part of Zaragoza's history can be found in the Aljafería Palace . Originally constructed during the Islamic period of Spain, the palace later became a residence for Christian monarchs. Its architecture reflects the different cultures and historical periods that have influenced th...

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY — A CITY TO EXPLORE

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and one of the most interesting cities in Central Europe. The city is divided by the Danube River . On one side is Buda , with hills, castles and beautiful views. On the other side is Pest , with busy streets, restaurants, shops and cafés. One of the best ways to explore Budapest is to walk along the Danube . You can see the famous Parliament Building , the city's bridges and beautiful views of the river. Budapest is also famous for its thermal baths . Visitors can spend several hours relaxing in warm water at places such as Széchenyi Thermal Bath . The baths are an important part of the city's culture. Food is another reason to visit Budapest. Visitors can try traditional dishes such as goulash , a warm soup or stew made with meat, vegetables and paprika. The city also has many modern restaurants and cafés. Budapest is especially interesting in the evening. Visitors can enjoy restaurants, bars and the famous ruin bars , which are unusual bar...

Sarajevo Safari

 Watch:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6-2PJDU2Zo Between 1992 and 1996 , the city of Sarajevo was under siege during the Bosnian War. For almost four years, residents lived with artillery bombardment, sniper fire, shortages and the constant danger of crossing the city's streets. Sarajevo became internationally known for the extreme conditions experienced by its civilian population. People had to find ways to obtain food, water and electricity while attempting to continue their daily lives under extraordinary circumstances. The story explored in the documentary Sarajevo Safari , directed by Slovenian filmmaker Miran Zupanič , focuses on a particularly disturbing allegation connected with the siege. According to witnesses interviewed for the documentary, wealthy foreigners allegedly travelled to areas around Sarajevo controlled by Bosnian Serb forces and paid for the opportunity to shoot at people in the city. The alleged participants have been described as "tourist snipe...

MARICARMEN ABASCAL

MARICARMEN ABASCAL Spain's housing crisis has become one of the country's most urgent social issues . In September 2026, the story of an 87-year-old woman in Madrid brought the question of housing, eviction and social protection into the spotlight . Maricarmen Abascal had lived in the same apartment in Madrid's Retiro district for 71 years . Her parents originally rented the property in 1956, and Maricarmen subsequently continued living there. After the property changed ownership, a prolonged legal dispute developed over whether she could remain in the apartment under the existing rental conditions. Eventually, a final eviction was scheduled for September 2026. The case attracted considerable public attention because of Maricarmen's age, her extraordinarily long connection to the apartment and her financial circumstances. Supporters argued that removing an elderly woman from the home where she had spent most of her life would leave her in an extremely vulnerable posi...