Tag Archives: The Telegraph

The War In Europe: Poland Expands As Military Power

The Telegraph (March 29, 2023) – Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Poland has been investing billions in new tanks, weaponry, cyber operations and manpower. By 2035 Poland hopes to double the size of its armed forces to 300,000 troops.

There is even talk of the country becoming a major military power in Europe. Watch The Telegraph’s Steven Edginton interview key members of the Polish military and politicians to understand why they are rearming. He also asked young Poles whether they are prepared to die for their country.

For Poland, investing in the military is no longer a luxury but a necessity. With conflict at their border (don’t forget that two Poles have already been casualties of this war, killed by a stray Ukrainian missile) Poland can no longer rely only on the United States and its Nato allies for protection.

Warsaw plans to increase military spending to 5% of its GDP, outspending its fellow European capitals relatively by a wide margin. Poland’s military expansion must be thought of within the context of the nation’s history. You don’t have to be a pensioner to remember a time when Poland was suffering under Communist rule.

Monuments to the Soviet oppressors litter cities like Warsaw, where one can wonder at Stalin’s “gift” to the Poles, the grand Palace of Culture, and despite the government’s best efforts to tear them down many statues still stand commemorating the Red Army as “liberators”.

Travel Study: Barcelona Is The Best City In The World

Barcelona

“Barcelona combines everything that is most charming about Mediterranean cities – a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food – with the cultural and design clout of almost any city in the cold north.”

SALLY DAVIES, TELEGRAPH DESTINATION EXPERT

DINING & HOTELS

 

36/50

CULTURE & HISTORY

 

31/50

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

 

35/50

TRANSPORT & GETTING THERE

 

43/50

Scotland Views: Shetland Islands In Winter (Video)

Simon Parker braves the rain and wind to see Shetland’s wonderful wildlife and stunning landscapes minus the summer crowds.

Shetland Islands, also called Zetland or Shetland, group of about 100 islands, fewer than 20 of them inhabited, in Scotland, 130 miles (210 km) north of the Scottish mainland, at the northern extremity of the United Kingdom. They constitute the Shetland Islands council area and the historic county of Shetland. Among the settlements on Mainland, the largest island, is Scalloway, a fishing port. Lerwick, also on Mainland, is the islands’ largest town and commercial and administrative centre.

Research: The Search For An Alzheimer’s Vaccine

Interview: Psychologist & Author Steven Pinker On Rationality & Fake News

Social media companies face a tough choice in censoring their users. Steven Pinker joins Steven Edginton to discuss rationality, big tech companies and conspiracy theories in the latest Off Script podcast. Watch the full episode above or search “Off Script” on your podcast app.

Views: World’s Longest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge In Portugal (Video)

The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge it opened near Arouca in northern Portugal. The see-through metal wire bridge is 516-metre-long (1,693-ft) and hangs 175 meters above the fast-flowing River Paiva. Locals hope the attraction, which cost about 2.3 million euros ($2.8 million) and took around two years to build, will help revive the region, especially after the devastating Covid-19 pandemic.

Lunar Events: ‘Snow Moon Rises in Bolton, England’

This year’s snow moon is shown in incredible photos rising behind Rivington Pike in Bolton.

The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac come from a number of places, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred, not just to the full Moon itself.

The explanation behind February’s full Moon name is a fairly straightforward one: it’s known as the Snow Moon due to the typically heavy snowfall that occurs in February. On average, February is the United States’ snowiest month, according to data from the National Weather Service. In the 1760s, Captain Jonathan Carver, who had visited with the Naudowessie (Dakota), wrote that the name used for this period was the Snow Moon, “because more snow commonly falls during this month than any other in the winter.” 

New Year 2021: Auckland, New Zealand – 1st Major City Firework Display

Kick-off New Year’s Eve with Auckland, New Zealand, as the first major city to celebrate 2021. It is expected we will see a vast laser display followed by an impressive show of fireworks. Auckland will be one of the few cities able to bid farewell to 2020 in style, as several cities including London and Las Vegas have cancelled their December 31 displays to prevent large crowds from gathering during the Covid-19 pandemic. Australia, who celebrate New Year’s Eve just a few hours after New Zealand, will also allow events but under strict restrictions.

Roman History: ‘Street Food Shop’ Discovered In Pompeii Excavation (Video)

A street food eatery discovered at Pompeii has now been completely excavated, helping to reveal some of the favourite dishes of the citizens of the ancient Roman city. The shop is known as a “thermopolium” since it served hot food. A segment of the fast-food building’s counters was discovered in 2019 during work to shore up Pompeii’s often-crumbling ruins. The counter was decorated with paintings of animals, which might provide clues of the ingredients those meals contained. On top of the counter there were holes, where warm food was stored to be served.