Spear-hunting wild boar on horseback has long been banned in Spain, but is now making a comeback. Animal rights activists are outraged by recent moves in Castilla La Mancha to legalize what they see as a savage and bloody practice.
Affordable housing is becoming increasingly hard to find in Germany's big cities. The main reason is the euro crisis; those who can afford it are buying - because property is seen as a safe investment.
Big cities like Hamburg have a shortage of affordable housing. Students and trainees are hardest hit, as are low-income families. Many of those affected have no choice but to stay with their relatives, and/or are forced to commute long distances. The authorities have pledged to invest in new building projects - but finding vacant plots of land in cities isn't always easy.
Some serious mistakes were made after a plane crash in Russia two years ago that killed almost 100, including the Polish president. Some of the recovered bodies were mixed up and buried in the wrong graves.
Forensic testing has proven that three of the victims of the 2010 plane crash in Russia that killed Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 others were misidentified and buried in the wrong graves. Seven more victims are now being exhumed and reexamined.
Across Europe, there are fan clubs devoted to vintage Ladas from the Soviet era. There are clubs in France, Spain, Germany, and nowadays there are even vintage Lada-lovers in Britain, too.
The first Lada was produced in 1970. For many today, the car is a reminder of a time of hardship and misery. Although many Russians continue to drive new-model Ladas today, demand is declining. Nonetheless, the classic Lada still has legions of loyal devotees across Europe. In Britain, some young hipsters even don Soviet-style garb for fan club meetings.
An archaic sport is making headlines in Spain: spear-hunting boar on horseback is undergoing a revival. Long-banned, this traditional hunting method is in the process of being legalized in certain regions.
