A week to forget (Week one)

Well, here we are in the first week of Weekend Update, the space for analysis for news in 5 countries. Some will find disorienting the fact that every news related to a country are written in their specific language. I hope the general comment in English will provide a little bit of guidance for anyone that does not understand everything.

• In Spain, news were of the results of the elections in Galicia, a North-Western region traditionally lead by the Partido Popular. The recount lasted one more week to count the emigrants'vote. We did better than Afghanistan which general elections took a whole month to ratify Kharzai in power. Only this time, the old-timey ruler of Galicia (Fraga was in Franco's cabinet more than once), has been defeated in the polls. God save Galicia.

Also in the country of Cervantes, the former Minister of Defense committed a rather unusual mistake. He intervened in the proper comission of the Spanish Congress, which gave the oportunity to some to critize him again. The Socialist government, far from bringin solutions to the people, exception made for the Housing problem, solved in 30 square meters, brings nothing but problems... When you don't have a plan, you don't have a plan...

• In France, the obstination of Chirac to make Turkey fit in the EU has finally paid off. He's gained supporters in Bruxelles to start negotiations with the Turks. How could the Union assimilate both the former soviet countries and that? This is something the most cunning economist couldn't say, I'm affraid.

• In America, a scandal was revealed, once again by the Washington Post. Truth is that, beyond the big titles, it's a small matter of contractors administration. Problem is $303 million were lost on the way. Couldn't this have been prevented? For sure, but the fact is the Federal government should put things crystal clear right from start, and don't come in the middle of the project development with a "we need to do 6 times what we planned in the time set"... My point is the contractor, Pearson, should have dropped the issue. It's all in the article, take your time to read it. 5 pages of good "investigative journalism".

• And now, yes, that's funny: Italy. 13 CIA operatives kidnap, torture, and send the "UPS way" (So to say, don't take me wrong) an Al-Qaeda suspected terrorist to Egypt... The result is a judiciary order to get those 13 boys, all identified by the Italian Police (they suceed at that, believe me). Will they catch them? You bet not, but the matter is Sovereignty and Human rights... In Italy they care of both.

• And in Argentina, the director of the most prestigious opera theather resigns with an Email from Miami. How lame could that be, the theather is almost broke. Its workers keep protesting... and the guy surely couldn't come up with a solution. Argentina falls deeper and deeper into decadence, and it's government, lead by Kischner is certainly pushing it down from above.
  

Pretty much a week to forget, although we shouldn't be so pessimistic. Summer's here. Beaches are going to be full, and in the end... life's worth it, no matter what the news are.

I'm Miguel Vinuesa and I am outta here!