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A pansexual bullfighter? Hardly surprising.

Spain’s LGBT matador: 'More will come out because of me' Spain's first openly LGBT matador believes more bullfighters will come out, after revealing he is pansexual. "There have always been gay people in bullfighting, but they didn't say anything," says Mario Alcalde. I meet the 31-year-old on a remote farm near the Portuguese border, where he is having a practice session for one of Spain's most notable, and notorious , traditions. Dressed in a small black waistcoat and skin-tight grey trousers, he looks every inch the bullfighter . But Mario Alcalde also works full-time as a baggage handler at Madrid-Barajas Airport and lives with his family. Bullfighting only pays big bucks for an elite few. He's now embracing a boost to his profile after telling Spanish newspaper El Mundo he is pansexual - someone who is attracted to another, regardless of their sex or gender. It was a spontaneous decision to come out, he says. Not even his family knew. &q

Controversial Spanish Eurovision entry

Spain's prime minister defends Eurovision entry Spain's Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, has defended the country's Eurovision song after it was branded "anti-women". The electro-pop anthem Zorra has come under fire because its title, which means vixen, is more often used to mean "bitch" or " slut " in Spanish slang . The song "insults women in a sexist way", said the Feminist Movement of Madrid in a statement . But Mr Sánchez dismissed the criticism , saying the song challenged sexist stereotypes. "It seems to me that feminism is not only fair, it can be fun, and this type of provocation must come from culture," he told the Al Rojo Vivo programme on La Sexta television. Zorra is performed by Nebulossa - a duo formed by María "Mery" Bas and Mark Dasous, from the village Ondara in Alicante. They have been married for 20 years and raised two children before forming their band in 2018. The group made headlines

Multi-millionaire gives away fortune

Austrian heiress Marlene Engelhorn announces plan for €25m giveaway An Austro-German heiress is setting up a citizens group to decide how she should give away much of the fortune she inherited from her grandmother. Marlene Engelhorn, who is 31 and lives in Vienna, wants 50 Austrians to determine how €25m (£21.5m) of her inheritance should be redistributed. "I have inherited a fortune, and therefore power, without having done anything for it," she said. "And the state doesn't even want taxes on it." Austria abolished inheritance tax in 2008, one of a handful of European countries that do not impose inheritance tax - or death duties. Ms Engelhorn believes that is unfair. She is a descendant of Friedrich Engelhorn, the founder of German chemical and pharmaceutical company, BASF, and inherited millions when her grandmother died in September 2022. Traudl Engelhorn-Vechiatto's wealth was estimated by US magazine Forbes at $4.2bn (£3.3bn; €3.

Joke Gone Wrong Leads to Court Case

Brit chess prodigy tells Spanish court he was ' messing around ' when he joked 'I'm Taliban' and told pals ' on my way to blow up the plane' in message that sparked fighter jet escort during easyJet flight to Menorca   A British former child chess prodigy has admitted in court he told his friends before jetting to Spain: 'On my way to blow up the plane. I'm a member of the Taliban.' But Aditya Verma insisted today as he went on trial that he was joking with his pals in a private Snapchat group before he was hauled off the flight. The 20-year-old student said he had 'no intention' of mobilising the two Spanish fighter jets sent to escort the packed easyJet plane he and 140 other holidaymakers were on as it neared Menorca along with police and firefighters on the ground.   Indian-born Aditya was 18 when he was arrested after landing on the island on July 3 2022 for a post A-Level exam holiday after finishing at St Olave's

A new attitude to alcohol for 2024

Doctor warns Dry January will 'never work' to help really 'detox' the body - and instead reveals the ways to reduce booze intake across the year Doctor Alasdair Scott has likened the effects of dry January to a ' crash diet ' It is a challenge that requires a person to stop drink ing alcohol for a month New year, new me - or so the saying goes, and there's no better time to commit to a month devoid of booze. Or is there?  Doctor Alasdair Scott, director of London health care service Selph, has branded Dry January a 'myth', while adding that you can't simply 'detox' your body of alcohol within one month .  Dry January is a popular personal challenge that requires a person to refrain from drinking alcohol for a month - often in the hopes of cancelling out the effects of a very boozy Christmas.  The medical expert and surgeon likened the trend to a 'crash diet', while revealing that it had very few health benefits, a

Zara ad criticised

Zara faces boycott from pro-Palestine activists over ' tone deaf ' ad campaign Fashion giant Zara is under fierce criticism from pro-Palestine activists after images were posted on the brand 's Instagram of supermodel Kirsten McMenamy with a mannequin in bubble wrap Activists are calling for a mass boycott of high street fashion giant Zara after an image was used on its Instagram that many claimed was exploiting the war in Gaza. The brand came under scrutiny over the weekend after an image was published showing model Kirsten McMenamy posing with a mannequin wrapped in bubble wrap. While Zara has previously been known to picture models in odd stances to advertise its clothing, some people drew comparisons with the horrendous images of body bags in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Another image showed a model standing in a wooden box surrounded by bits of debris , which some compared to images of those trapped between rubble in the current war zone. Social media use

Have you got rizz?

Is this Oxford's most Gen Z word of the year ever? 'Rizz' (which is internet slang for romantic appeal ) is chosen by lexicographers - seeing off rivals to the top spot including 'de-influencing', 'beige flag' and 'Swiftie'  Language dons have chosen 'rizz' as their Oxford 2023 word of the year - seeing off rivals 'Swiftie' and 'de-influencing' to the top spot.  The term, internet slang for 'romantic appeal' or charm , was crowned after a Tom Holland interview fuelled a boom in its use among younger people in Generation Z - defined as those born between the mid to late -1990s and early 2010s.  It beat seven other contenders to become the word of 2023, in a list narrowed down by a public vote before Oxford lexicographers decided the winner.  Recorded uses of the word peaked in June when Spider-Man star Holland was asked about his 'rizz' in a widely shared interview.  The actor said: 'I have no

Did Napoleon have a complex?

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Source: You Tube (Sony Pictures Releasing UK) Key Words: Napoleon trailer Napoleon: The truth about 'small man syndrome' https://t.co/smu5XKcT6M via @BBC_Reel — English in Madrid (@madteacher72) November 26, 2023 Napoleon myth explained amid claim French general’s 'very small penis sold in USA’ NAPOLEON Bonaparte's penis has allegedly traded hands several times since his death amid claims it was removed during his autopsy - but there is a far more simple explanation. Napoleon was arguably the greatest general in history. Even the Duke of Wellington, who famously defeated him at the Battle of Waterloo, claimed “his presence in the field made the difference of 40,000 men". But there are many myths about Bonaparte ‒ who conquered most of Europe before his downfall in 1815 ‒ and the fate of his penis is one such myth. The story goes that after Napoleon died in 1821, Dr Francois Antommarchi concluded the autopsy by removing his penis.  He is then said to h

Shakira avoids jail time

Shakira: Singer settles Spanish tax fraud case with €7.5m fine Colombian pop star Shakira has reached a deal with Spanish prosecutors to settle a tax fraud case, just as her trial was about to begin. The singer has paid a €7.5m (£6.5m) fine - prosecutors had wanted to jail her for eight years and fine her €23.8m (£20.8m) if found guilty . She had faced tax fraud allegations for €14.5m (£12.7m) in a Barcelona court. Shakira, who has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing , said she settled "with the best interest of my kids at heart ". In a lengthy statement , she said her children "do not want to see their mom sacrifice her personal well-being in this fight". The performer had previously rejected a deal offered by prosecutors, instead opting to go to trial. " Throughout my career, I have always strived to do what's right and set a positive example for others," she said. "Unfortunately, and despite these efforts, tax authorities in Spain pursue

Unusual ways to raise money for charity

Anger over ironing board abandoned on Ben Nevis An ironing board abandoned at the top of Ben Nevis has angered hillwalkers in the Scottish Highlands. It was photographed last week resting against the ruined walls of the 19th century Ben Nevis observatory. It is not uncommon for household items to be carried to the top of the UK's highest mountain as part of fundraising efforts for charities. But the John Muir Trust, which shares responsibility for its management, said the rule is "leave nothing behind". In April, a former soldier made it to the top of the 1,345m (4,413 ft) peak with a fridge on his back. And in June, a mountain rescuer carried a 100kg (220lb) barbell to raise money for motor neurone disease research. Other strange items reportedly left on Ben Nevis include a church organ, a toilet seat and a 3ft garden gnome . The photograph of the ironing board angered hillwalkers when it was posted on a Highlands Facebook page. It is believed those responsible