English in Madrid

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...

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 ...

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: 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...

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...

For the Fallen  by Laurence Binyon With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free. Solemn the drums thrill ; Death august and royal  Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres, There is music in the midst of desolation And a glory that shines upon our tears. They went with songs to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb , true of eye, steady and aglow . They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted; They fell with their faces to the foe . They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:  Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;  They sit no more at familiar tables of home; They have no lot in our labour of the day-time; They sleep beyond England's foam . But where our desires are an...

The stores snubbing Black Friday's mega-sales Many retailers flaunt rock-bottom prices the day after Thanksgiving, but others opt out of the shopping frenzy . Ethics, image and margins all play a part in the calculus. On Black Friday, REI's 181 storefronts will go dark. None of the US outdoor cooperative's 16,000 employees will clock in at retail locations, warehouses or offices – they'll all be on paid leave instead. Bucking the trends of many major brands, the day after Thanksgiving, REI will be closed. For many shoppers, Black Friday kicks off the zenith of the shopping season – in the US, nearly 73 million people visited a brick-and-mortar store during 2022's Thanksgiving holiday weekend, with billions spent online, too. And even without the US-based November holiday on their calendars, other parts of North America and Europe have jumped on the consumer trend . Every year, shoppers mob stores for steep markdowns . Widely circulated videos on soci...

Legal row over 2,800,000% mark-up for African mask A second-hand dealer in France has appeared in court accused of deceiving a couple by paying €150 (£130) for an African mask which he resold for €4.2m. The pensioner couple found the mask from Gabon at the home of an ancestor who had been a colonial governor. They sold it to the dealer in 2021, only to find out its true value following an auction six months later. As the case opened on Tuesday, Gabon's government asked for proceedings to be halted and the mask returned. The saga began when the couple - who are in their 80s and live in central France - asked the dealer to clear their holiday home near the southern town of Alès. The house had belonged to René-Victor Fournier, a colonial administrator in the early 20th Century. The wooden mask was found in a cupboard. The dealer argues that he had no idea how valuable it was when he bought it. In March 2022, reading about the auction in the city of Montpelier, the couple di...

Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham scores screamer and injury-time winner in El Clasico Jude Bellingham scored an incredible equaliser and a 92nd-minute winner to help Real Madrid come from behind to beat rivals Barcelona on his first El Clasico appearance. Ilkay Gundogan's first Barca goal had put the hosts ahead after six minutes. But Bellingham smashed a sensational leveller in the 68th minute, finding the top corner from 30 yards out. The England midfielder then netted an injury-time volley to continue his fairytale start to his Real career. Bellingham, 20, now has 14 goals in 16 matches for club and country this season. Los Blancos' win meant they moved above Girona on goal difference at the top of La Liga, and four points clear of third -placed Barcelona. Bellingham proving his worth yet again Once again , Bellingham was Real Madrid's talisman and goal hero. The former Birmingham City midfielder arrived from Borussia Dortmund for 103m euros (£8...

Princess Leonor of Spain's royal profile rises as she comes of age Spain's Princess Leonor is about to turn 18 , thrusting her into the spotlight  as heir to the throne and raising questions about the role she will play as an adult royal. Her birthday, on Tuesday, will be marked by a formal ceremony in the Spanish Parliament, at which she will swear allegiance to the Constitution before receiving the medals of Congress and the Senate. Anticipating the event, the Spanish royal family has released a series of photos of the princess, many of them previously unpublished. They include one of her on her first day of school, flanked by her mother, Queen Letizia, and her father, King Felipe VI, who was then still a prince himself. Another shows her in 2010, clutching the World Cup trophy the Spanish men's football team had just won. Others show her alongside her younger sister Sofía. Underlining the significance of her birthday, there will also be a reception in the Roya...

Bedbugs don’t discriminate’: Paris ‘ scourge ’ sparks fears of international infestation After French capital hosted fashion week and Rugby World Cup there are concerns the problem will spread Paris is burning its luggage and bed linen as it battles a “scourge” of bedbugs, stoking fears of infestation around the world as pest controllers report an uptick in inquiries and transport operators and hoteliers seek to assuage concerns . The city of light is reportedly under siege from the nocturnal bloodsuckers , leading the French transport minister, Clément Beaune, to meet transport operators. “It’s a real nightmare ,” says Yacine, a schoolteacher in Paris who declined to give his surname. “I’m so afraid to take the Métro, I don’t go to the cinema – it’s very alarmant.” Seraient-ce des punaises de lit dans vos trains @SNCFVoyageurs @SNCFConnect ????? pic.twitter.com/NyJKrdtvy0 — Dana Del Rey (@DanaShaam) September 18, 2023   With the city having just hosted Paris fashi...