Ben McPartland

Brilliant column Jonathan. Some great lines, especially the "Referees are the sign reading 'no drinks outside after 9.30pm' ". Saying we are going to end up with rugby union is exactly right. We're almost there. We are killing the fun in the sport. And the worst thing is we'll never go back...

spot on.

Talking France: Will landmark rape trial change France and what's next if French government falls? France has only had a new government for a couple of months and now it looks like it could lose it - just when it really needs one. We'll find out what's going on and what it will mean for the coun...

This week we're joined by special guest @meganclement.bsky.social to discuss the horrific mass rape trial in Mazan, and whether it could bring lasting changes to French society
pod.fo/e/2881aa

'Bunker list': What we know so far about Germany's emergency shelter plan Bunkers transformed into green spaces or museums are a common sight in Germany. But now the government is putting together a list of bunkers and underground shelters in case of future attacks. What's ...

German officials are compiling a list of bunkers and emergency shelters, with the aim of creating a digital directory for the public. It comes after a document was leaked showing how Germany is preparing for the threat of war. We look at what it all means. www.thelocal.de/20241127/bun...

'Unfair and pointless': Call for moratorium on Swedish citizenship causes anger Recent calls for Swedish citizenship applications to be delayed or even paused completely until the government can tighten up the rules have been met with anger and concern by readers of The Local.

Over 230 of our readers answered our survey on Busch/Åkesson's suggestions to delay or pause citizenship applications. Not only did people say it was unfair to people who have already applied, but they also said it would damage Swedish competitiveness. www.thelocal.se/20241126/unf...