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Local Spain
2 days ago
- Politics
- Local Spain
'Franco did it': Five quirky ways the dictator shaped modern Spain
With the 50th anniversary of Franco's death this year, there has unsurprisingly been quite a bit of talk about the dictator's legacy and his impact on Spain. Much of it, of course, is critical. However, some Spaniards, especially younger males, view the dictatorship with increasingly rose-tinted glasses and give examples of the supposed positives Franco did for the country. Often these are untrue, such as the widely-shared claim that Franco created the Spanish social security system, that he made Sunday a rest day for workers or that he set up the country's pension system. However, despite that, to say that the man who ruled Spain for decades didn't have a huge impact on the country would also be absurd. Despite the fact there's a tendency among some foreigners - including foreign correspondents and historians - to see Franco in absolutely everything, it's fair to say that in some specific ways, the dictator's legacy does live on to this day. Everything happens later in the day because of Franco Spain is in the wrong time zone. The country is geographically in line with the UK and Portugal. It makes sense, then, that Spain was in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) zone until around 75 years ago. But that changed during the Second World War. With the country ravaged by its own recent Civil War - in which Franco's victory was heavily supported by Hitler - Franco felt obliged to make a gesture of some sort. Although ultimately remaining neutral in the war, he decided to show his support for Hitler by agreeing to put Spain's clocks forward by an hour in an act of solidarity with Nazi Germany. Spain has remained in the Central European Time zone ever since, in line with countries as far east as Poland. But Franco's decision all those years ago isn't just a quirk of Spanish history, or testament to the extent to which the legacy of that period still looms over Spanish society. It was also a decision that has had a lasting impact on Spanish culture and society that underpins everything from Spaniards' sleep cycles and meal times to the country's birth rates and economic growth. There have been calls to make the switch back to GMT because many believe the time zone quirk is affecting Spaniard's productivity and quality of life. In 2013, a Spanish national commission concluded that Spaniards sleep almost an hour less than the European average, and that this led to increased stress, concentration problems, both at school and work, and workplace accidents. Franco introduced Spain's divisive mass tourism model Spain received 94 million tourists in 2024 and even its long-held status as de facto holiday destination for much of northern Europe can be traced back to Franco. After decades of international isolation following the Civil War, cash-strapped Francoist Spain completely changed its strategy in the late 50s and early 60s. The dictatorship liberalised the economy and invested heavily in promoting tourism abroad as a means of whitewashing the regime, turning its back on the Catholic, traditionalist sector of society which shunned the idea of free-thinking northern European tourists gracing Spain's beaches in bikinis. The regime opened its borders without checks or visa requirements, the peseta was deliberately devalued to make it cheaper for foreigners to spend their holidays in Spain, and legislation fixed the price hotels and restaurants could charge in order to keep them low, all factors that planted the seeds for the 'anything goes' tourism model. In fact, two of the popular tourism slogans of the time were Pase sin llamar ('Come in without knocking') and 'Spain is different', written in English. From 1960 to 1970, the number of international tourists quadrupled from 6.1 million to 24.1 million. It was during this time that Spain's coastal building bonanza kicked off and, decades later, the Spanish costas are still the first choice destination of tourists across the continent. Players use a hyper-realistic replica of dictator Francisco Franco's head as a football during an artistic and political performance titled "La Copa del Generalísimo". (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) Franco is largely responsible for 'Empty Spain' Franco is also arguably responsible for the mass migration of Spaniards from rural Spain into big cities, setting the foundations for Empty Spain and the depopulation problems it has caused in more recent years. From the late-1950s, millions in Spain left their pueblos to live in cities in search of transfer of rural populations to industrial centres such as Catalonia, the Basque Country and Madrid led to major regional imbalances, many of which live on today. When we think of the concept of 'Empty Spain', we think of more recent migrant flows and younger Spaniards forced to provincial capitals in search of work, but according to data from INE, in the 1960s alone more than three million Spaniards left the countryside for the city. The economic boom Franco hoped for required a large workforce, which came from rural areas. To compound the trend, agricultural production was mechanised around this time which meant that there was also a surplus of labour in the countryside, forcing more people into the cities in search of work. Spaniards' obsession with home ownership started under Franco This migration from the Spanish countryside also had another effect: it made Spain into a nation of homeowners. Spain has historically had among the highest property ownership rates in Europe. The Spain of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s was a country of tenants. Until the 1960s, half of all housing in the country was rented. Incredibly, in 1950 only one in twenty people in Madrid or Barcelona owned their own homes, but by 2007 the Ministry of Housing estimated that 87 percent of Spanish households owned at least one home. José Luis Arrese, the first Housing Minister in Spanish history, told the Francoist Parliament in the 1950s that 'We want a society of owners, not proletarians.' With the great migration ongoing, estimates suggest that around 12 million Spaniards (roughly 40 percent of the population at the time) moved house between 1951 and 1975. The Franco regime discouraged renting a 1954 limited rent law enabled the construction of millions of subsidised homes. Then the real construction boom broke out: between 1961 and 1975, four million flats were built, often in the classic Spanish apartment block style. To top it all off, the Banco Hipotecario de España was created to compensate private banks granting mortgages to the working classes flowing into Spanish cities. Spaniards' poor English is partly attributable to Francoist policies Something that many foreigners notice in Spain is the relatively low levels of English, especially compared to other European countries. Franco arguably played a hand in this too and it comes down to films. Another quirk (or annoyance, depending on your opinion) of Spain is that the vast majority of films in both cinemas and on TV are dubbed into Spanish. During the early stages of the Franco dictatorship, it was compulsory for all films to be dubbed into Spanish. The Language Defence Law, introduced in 1941, was used to strengthen Spanish nationalism by promoting Castilian Spanish through a mass cultural mode like cinema. As such, Spaniards didn't and many to this day don't regularly hear English. In Spain just 4 percent of Spaniards who go to the cinema choose to watch the original version with subtitles. Figures from the Federation of Spanish Cinemas (FECE) from 2015 show how out of the roughly 3,500 large screen cinemas in Spain, barely 200 of them showed international films in their original language. Compare this with neighbouring Portugal, a country with one of the highest levels of English on the continent, where the post-WWII Portugal of dictator Salazar went the other way and in order to guarantee what was "authentically Portuguese", a 1948 law banned Portuguese cinema from being dubbed.
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Chronicles of humble good morning towel
The humble Good Morning Towel. Two GMTs: From Greenwich to Good Morning Recently, I was in UK and found myself in Greenwich — greeted by the historic Cutty Sark and standing beside the famous line that separates the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. There it was: Greenwich Mean Time (the original GMT), a global symbol of precision and order. But as I stood at that longitude of exactitude, another 'GMT' floated into my mind — one rooted not in global clocks, but in childhood memory: the Good Morning Towel. Unlike its namesake, this GMT isn't about keeping time but wiping away the effects of it — sweat from a brow, dust from a surface. Born in China and once used by doctors, midwives, barbers and hairdressers, it journeyed with Chinese migrants to Malaysia and beyond. Over time, it settled into the lives of rickshaw pullers in Kuala Lumpur, jeepney drivers in Manila and labourers throughout Southeast Asia. To many, it's far more than a towel. It's a thread of heritage, a witness to stories etched into the shoulders that carried it. Standing in Greenwich, I felt a tug of that thread — a quiet reminder that even a strip of cloth can hold deep history. It wasn't a marvel of empire or engineering, but a faithful companion to dawns and dusks, to burdens carried and sweat wiped away. Nostalgia sneaks in like that, doesn't it? Especially across Asia, where everyday objects whisper of simpler times. And none more so than the Good Morning Towel — as timeless and vital, in its own quiet way, as Greenwich Mean Time itself. Not measuring minutes, but marking moments of everyday resilience. Unassuming Legacy of GMT It began as a flicker of nostalgia, but soon I found myself diving deep into the world of the Good Morning Towel (GMT). What started as a simple memory became a weekend of unexpected discovery. The more I searched, the more I uncovered how this plain, thin piece of cotton had quietly travelled across borders and generations. Its bold 'Good Morning' greeting, stitched in red, had witnessed countless dawns, labours, and the silent endurance of everyday life. That cloth brought me back to my school days, when we wrote whimsical essays titled 'I am a Pen' or 'The Story of an Umbrella.' So, in that spirit, I set myself a new challenge: 'I am the Good Morning Towel.' Suddenly, what once seemed ordinary became a seasoned companion of history, a threadbare symbol of resilience wrapped in quiet dignity. I've seen this towel everywhere since childhood — draped over the shoulders of lorry drivers, tucked into mechanics' belts, or slung casually on kopitiam waiters. With its crisp white fabric and that iconic red greeting, it was everywhere and nowhere — part of the background of life, until you stopped to really see it. The genius of the GMT lies in its versatility. Longer than a handkerchief, lighter than a bath towel, it dries in minutes under tropical heat and folds neatly into a pocket. It can be a head wrap, a sunshade, a makeshift pouch, even a temporary seat cover. Its plainness is its strength — you can instantly tell if it's clean. Maybe it became a staple because it was the only towel available back then. Or maybe it's that cheerful, cross-cultural 'Good Morning' that makes it feel like an old friend in new hands. Most came marked with the number 96 — its most popular size at 35cm by 75cm. Its origins trace back to the late 19th century, likely made for the Hong Kong market by a Chinese factory during the height of British trade expansion. Stamped with a bilingual blessing — 'Good Morning' in English and in Chinese (安早君祝) — it offered not just utility but a warm, optimistic start to the day. Soon it became the unofficial uniform of the working class: barbers, rickshaw pullers, midwives, chefs and dockworkers all wore it with purpose. It wiped the brows of rice farmers, covered loaves in bakeries, and mopped sweat in roadside cafés. In kopitiams across Kuala Lumpur or noodle stalls from Manila to Bangkok, it fluttered from belts and shoulders like a humble banner of shared grit. My parents — and theirs before them — used it too, bound by a silent language of labour and modest pride. And yet, despite progress, the GMT never faded. Today you can buy it online for a few ringgit or find designer versions in trendy boutiques. Expats wear it as a symbol of nostalgia; chefs still rely on it for its practicality. Whatever the reinvention, its core remains unchanged: simple, useful, unpretentious. More than just a relic, the GMT is a quiet testament to the people who build the world not with declarations, but with daily sweat. In its modest weave lies a powerful truth: history isn't only made by kings or empires, but by those who greet each morning with resolve, ready to carry on. And in that, this soft, sturdy strip of cotton gives us something rare and enduring — a hopeful greeting that still binds us all. Fashion Spin-Off with GMT Some people just can't resist nostalgia, and the Good Morning Towel has inspired more spin-offs than its humble threads ever bargained for. I was floored myself. It's popped up on mugs, onesies, reusable face masks, cakes and even starred in glossy photo shoots. And, thanks to fashion's flair for irony, it has now sashayed onto the runway in full haute couture glory. Enter Doublet, a Japanese menswear label that decided the GMT deserved the designer treatment. At their Fall/Winter 2020 show in Paris, the towel reappeared — this time as a knit scarf with a price tag that could make a rickshaw puller spill their teh tarik. The show, themed 'We Are the World,' was staged in a Japanese-style cafeteria, complete with an electronic menu in Japanese and Russian. One model clutched chop-sticks like a lost prop, while the GMT peeked shyly from a jacket, stealing attention from oversized outerwear and glittery pants. Then came Look #2, and the GMT went full diva — draped over the model's head like a sacred relic. Whether it was a homage to Asia's working-class heroes or a last-minute styling flourish, it was hard to miss. That's fashion for us: give the right platform to even the humblest rag, and it might just strut into cult status. Heritage with a smirk. Nostalgia with a wink. Proof that even a sweat rag can rise to high fashion with the right flair and a very bold price tag. Whatever it was, it worked. GMT goes haute couture for Singapore's National Day (Source: Jayden Tan) I also found out that there were striking images with GMT by photographer Jayden Tan with model Ellie Tan. They were part of a tongue-in-cheek portrait series created to commemorate Singapore's National Day 2016. By elevating the humble GMT which was an everyday icon into a statement headpiece, the photographer captures the essence of heritage and humour in a few frames. They are witty, nostalgic nod to the country's shared stories and humble roots. GMT: Humble Hero of Everyday Chic In the Philippines, trends may have shifted for the younger generation, but the modest terry-cloth GMT is enjoying a stylish revival, reminding us all that fashion doesn't need labels, just a wink, a twist and a bit of creativity. Why limit it to sweat and grime when it can shield your hair like a vintage silk scarf? Suddenly, the GMT isn't just sun protection, it's a statement: 'I don't just block UV rays. I bring the style.' Who needs Louis Vuitton or Prada when you can swing a GMT tote from your shoulder, with that bold red 'Good Morning' and crisp blue trim rivalling any luxury monogram? Prefer hands-free fashion? Tie it into a belt bag and strut. Even a Birkin gets an upgrade with a cheeky GMT wrap — a subtle flex that says, 'Yes, I have both irony and taste.' But the reinvention doesn't stop there. It can become a sporty armband for morning jogs or a quirky throwback as '80s leg warmers. Feeling chilly? Transform it into Victorian-style sleeves or a preppy cardigan perfect for polo-viewing — or kopitiam coffee runs. And come nightfall? The GMT can party too. Add a few shower rings and it's a bold necklace. Fold it right, add a pin, and voilà — you've got a brooch that makes your casual look cocktail-ready. The takeaway? Never underestimate a GMT. It's more than absorbent, it's adaptable. From kopitiam to catwalk, this humble cloth proves that true style doesn't need a price tag, just imagination, heritage, and a healthy sense of humour. In a world full of trends, the GMT reminds us: the best fashion statement may just be a cheerful 'Good Morning.' GMT used to protect hair, tote bag, belt bag, together with Birkin, armband, leg warmers, Victorian-style sleeves, cardigan, GMT necklace, brooch (Source: From Sweat Rag to Sweet Treat with GMT Cakes If you thought the GMT had peaked as a fashion accessory or a photoop prop, think again. The humble piece of cloth has now graduated to its most unexpected role yet — dessert. That's right, the culinary scene has embraced this icon of the streets and spun it into a decadent roll cake. Dubbed the 'True Towel Cake' in Hong Kong, this whimsical confection is an edible homage to the classic design we all know and love—right down to the bold red Chinese characters and crisp blue borders. Crafted from creamy white chocolate, it measures roughly 11cm long and 8cm in diameter, making it the perfect bitesized homage for diehard fans of the towel. But before you race out to claim one for yourself, a word of warning: this nostalgic treat was available only in Hong Kong. And it doesn't come easy. It's very expensive and can only be had by those who are patient enough to order at least two days in advance. Hong Kong True Good Morning Towel Cake For those hoping to pick one up on their next trip to the Fragrant Harbour, this is one souvenir worth planning for. After all, if a humble towel can be reimagined as a luxury scarf and now as a creamfilled dessert, one can only wonder: what's next? The GMT may have started as a workhorse, but it's clearly become a multicourse icon. Letting Go Through Art For Malaysian visual artist Chong Yi Lin, the Good Morning Towel is far more than a household relic — it's a canvas for remembrance, a vessel of emotion, and a thread linking life, loss, and legacy. In her Evanescent Series, exhibited in Taiwan, Chong delves into the grief that shaped her childhood memories. The GMT takes centre stage, recalling her great-grandmother's funeral — where towels were handed to mourners to wipe away tears and sweat. In its simplicity, the towel became a poignant symbol of mourning, impermanence, and the quiet hope of starting anew. Through delicate hand-stitching, Chong transforms this humble cloth into a metaphor for connection. Each thread weaves emotion into fabric, binding generations through shared sorrow and resilience. Her abstract needlework captures the fleeting nature of memory — ephemeral yet deeply felt. In Chong's hands, the GMT is no longer just utilitarian. It becomes art — a witness to grief, a keeper of heritage, and a gentle reminder of the beauty in letting go. Malaysian artist Chong Yi Lin weaves emotions into fabrics with GMT (Source: Final Thread of an Everyday Icon And so, the Good Morning Towel's aka GMT humble journey — from the bustling docks of 19th-century Hong Kong to the fashion and chic catwalks, from roadside cafés to art galleries — reminds us that greatness often blooms from the ordinary. It has dried the brows of labourers and stylists alike, served as both a tool of comfort in mourning and a playful accent in haute couture, and even found its way into our sweetest indulgences. Yet through every reinvention, its essence remains unchanged: a simple strip of cotton that carries the warmth of human connection, the resilience of everyday toil and the quiet poetry of countless dawns. In every fold and fray, the GMT carries stories — of hands that wielded needles to stitch grief into art, of drivers who braved the tropical sun, of chefs and photographers who chose it as a symbol of shared heritage. It teaches us that history isn't only the realm of titans and treaties, but also the domain of those who greet each morning with grit, respect and good humour. So here's to the Good Morning Towel: an unassuming beacon of solidarity among Asians, a testament to our common threads, and a daily reminder that no matter where we come from or where we go, we all share one hopeful greeting. Good morning, indeed.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Daily routine of astronauts at ISS includes physical exercise, important to stay healthy and fit, says Shubhanshu Shukla
Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla Tuesday said that astronauts have to perform daily exercise in order to stay fit and healthy while at the International Space Station (ISS). In his second and final week at the ISS as part of the ongoing Axiom-4 mission, India's Group Captain Shukla spoke to students during an interaction via ham radio communication. Lasting under ten minutes starting around 2pm on Tuesday, this was the second radio communication he made back to India. It was facilitated by the Amateur Radio on International Space Station (ARISS) with the call connected via telebridge to the North East Space Application Centre of ISRO. During the call, he emphasised how physical fitness is key to astronauts while at the ISS and that the orbiting observatory offers a mini gym for the astronauts. 'Believe it or not, there is a treadmill, a cycle and also a strength training machine known as the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED). Every day, astronauts have to exercise in order to maintain their health and fitness. Staying healthy and fit in microgravity conditions is very important,' he replied to the question on fitness. Shukla shared that his body, too, faced space sickness soon after reaching the ISS last week. 'On earth, we have gravity acting on us but it is not the same in space. The body does go through some changes (when in a space environment) but it adapted quickly. Anyways, in case somebody feels unwell at the ISS then there are medications available to deal with space sickness,' he said. Earlier this week, his smiling photographs emerged from the cupola or the Earth-viewing vantage point and the Indian Air Force's (IAF) test pilot reiterated that looking back at the earth was beautiful and that it was an amazing experience. On the ongoing science experiments designed by the ISRO, Shukla said that some data cleaning was performed. He elaborated further, 'Many factors affect the biological processes at the ISS but it is particularly affected by the unique environmental conditions — microgravity and the enhanced radiations. Whereas on Earth, its magnetic field and the layer of atmosphere protect it.' He credited the extensive and intense training during the past several months, and his training as test pilot by the IAF, have helped him during the ongoing mission onboard the ISS. He mentioned in detail how the training focused on facing abnormal conditions and emergencies on ISS. 'Facing an emergency at ISS cannot be ruled out. For, the maximum time duration of our on-ground training extensively focused on all possible scenarios that can go wrong onboard the ISS. We are well versed and trained to handle any emergency on the ISS,' he said. Another doubt that the students quizzed Shukla was the time zone being followed onboard the ISS. 'We do see the sun rise and sun sets but our daily activities are not guided by the sunlight but by time. We follow the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT),' he noted. Encouraging young students to pursue science and that he will be available to guide the next generation of Gaganyatris, Shukla said, 'I will be back with you guys soon and will guide you all. Many kids from small and big towns are going to become astronauts.' Ending the conversation on a positive and motivational note, Group Captain Shukla said, 'When you kids grow up, who knows, you may be the first one to be put on the moon.' On July 4, Shukla had made the maiden communication via ham radio during which he interacted with students tuned-in from Thiruvananthapuram and Lucknow.
Time Out
08-07-2025
- Science
- Time Out
Greenwich's legendary observatory is getting a massive £77 million makeover
It was first built in 1675, after King Charles II ordered a warrant for the construction of the Royal Observatory. Now, 350 years later, the Christopher Wren-designed observatory overlooking Greenwich Park is getting a major £77 million renovation. Jamie Fobert Architects will be heading up the major glow-up, after the firm won a public competition to take ownership of the project in 20222. The project, called 'First Light' will add a new entry pavilion and garden walk, accessible routes to the Great Equatorial Telescope and Planetarium (including a lift tower), refreshed galleries with interactive displays, and new space with shops and cafés called 'Astronomers Court'. Work will begin in September 2025, with the gardens and the accessible routes getting an overhaul which will mean they reach the telescope for the first time. Of the £77 million budget, £50.5 million has been secured so far. The project is due to be complete by spring 2028. Paddy Rodgers, chief executive of Royal Museums Greenwich, said: 'Founded 350 years ago, the Royal Observatory Greenwich is Britain's oldest purpose-built scientific institution. It is the birthplace of modern astronomy and the home of the Prime Meridian and Greenwich Mean Time. 'Through this project we aim to inspire new audiences and advance our remit as a place for the public understanding of astronomy as decreed by our Royal Warrant. The Royal Observatory has long been a place of curiosity, meticulous observation and creative thinking. This encapsulates the spirit of this project.' The London beer that was just crowned the best in Britain for 2025.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Shubhanshu Shukla tells students at NESAC many of you can become astronauts, walk on the moon
'Many of you can become future astronauts, even walk on the Moon,' Shubhanshu Shukla told a bunch of excited school students during an interaction through amateur radio from the International Space Station on Tuesday (July 8, 2025). Mr. Shukla, who has now spent 12 days at the orbital laboratory, was interacting with students of seven schools from Meghalaya and Assam who gathered at the North East Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in Shillong for the rare opportunity to talk to an astronaut in orbit. The students had submitted 20 questions to Mr. Shukla, and he used a 10-minute window to connect with them via Ham radio to share his experiences on the ISS, training as an astronaut, and staying healthy while in space. 'I will be back, and I will guide you. Many of you will become future astronauts. Stay curious, work hard, and believe in yourself, someone from you could even walk on the Moon,' Mr. Shukla said. He said life onboard the space station is not guided by sunlight, but by the clock set to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). 'We don't follow the Sun. On the ISS, we see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day because we circle the Earth every 90 minutes. Our activities aren't guided by sunlight, but by GMT,' Mr. Shukla said. He said the human body goes through a lot of changes in microgravity, and it was necessary for astronauts to follow a regular exercise routine to stay healthy in orbit. 'We grow up in gravity on Earth, but here in space, there is none. The body goes through a lot of changes, and it takes some time to adapt. I experienced some space sickness at first, but there are medications, and we adapt quickly,' Mr. Shukla said. 'Microgravity causes muscle and bone loss. So, we exercise every day using treadmills, cycles, and strength training machines. It's essential to stay fit for the mission and for our return to Earth,' he said. Stressing the importance of physical and mental preparation, Mr. Shukla said astronauts train extensively in Russia, India, and other partner countries to handle every conceivable scenario, especially emergencies. 'Most of our training is about handling off-nominal situations. Teamwork and a strong support system are crucial,' he said. 'Robotics and AI are integral to our mission. We use robotic arms for many internal and external tasks, making our work safer and more efficient on the Space Station,' Mr. Shukla said. Students from Army Public School-Shillong, Alpha Higher Secondary School-Nongpoh, ARYA Vidyapith High School-Guwahati, The Christ Senior Secondary School-Umiam, PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya-Barapani, The Army Public School-Umroi, and B K Bajoria School-Shillong had signed up for the event.
