Youpe Last Week

Snow hydrology and gassy whales

Another week and another look at another week’s goings-on in Europe, or as Grandma Riva, born in Horadenka, Ukraine, circa 1888 — featured here holding a very young Jack Friedman after being called away from her weekly poker game — called it, “Youpe.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said his country should consider reparations for its role in hundreds of years of enslavement of African people. “How to repair … is a question that must not be refused. It’s also a question on which we must not make false promises.” He also said that France’s identity could not be “built on denial” and that “we have to restore the truth to our history and give it its full place.” A pension commission in Germany is denying it recommended raising the retirement age from 67 to 70. Nevertheless, Heidi Reichinnek, co-leader of the Left Party, criticized the idea, calling it “incredibly socially callous,” adding after “the numerous slaps in the face, now come the first kicks.” In Greece, 82-year-old Alexandros Giotopoulos, convicted head of the former November 17 (17N) terrorist group, was released from prison after 24 years. Sentenced in 2003 to seventeen life terms for the “moral responsibility in seventeen murders” and an additional 25-year sentence, Giotopoulos, known as “Lambrose,” cannot leave the country, must make mandatory appearances at a local police station every fifteen days, and keep a permanent residence in the country. While in prison, he earned a master’s degree and a PhD in mathematics. Norway celebrated its 212th Constitution Day last week. Thousands crammed the streets of Oslo, some holding banners which read “Future of Peace” and “Our Earth, Our Responsibility.” Police reported “calm” throughout the capital city. “The only incidents we’ve seen are too many children asking for extra ice cream,” said one officer.