‘Dangerous nostalgia’: did Spain’s ‘pact of forgetting’ after Franco leave new generation open to far right?

Patrick Ryan and Joseph Kelly, two leading cult interventionists based in Philadelphia, assist families in coaxing loved ones out of dangerous cults. They receive desperate calls from families whose members are involved with harmful groups, including a son following a guru in Spain and a wife investing life savings in a prophet in Australia. These families often turn to Ryan and Kelly after exhausting other options.

This week marks 50 years of Spanish democracy, yet there remains a significant lack of discourse regarding the crimes committed during Franco's dictatorship from 1939 to 1975. Many Spaniards, including the author, were born after Franco's death and grew up hearing mostly about the democratic transition that followed. The author reflects on her mother's experiences during the first free elections in 1977, highlighting a collective amnesia that leaves Spain vulnerable to repeating its dark past.

Ukraine is seeking nearly $44 billion from Russia for damages related to increased climate-warming emissions caused by the ongoing war. This claim, announced by Deputy Minister Pavlo Kartashov, marks the first instance of a country seeking compensation for war-related emissions. The damages include emissions from fossil fuels, cement, and steel used in the conflict, as well as environmental destruction from fires. This announcement comes as Ukraine continues to navigate the impacts of the war on its environment and economy.

Wilmer Chavarria, a drug kingpin who allegedly faked his own death to evade law enforcement, has been arrested in Spain after four years of operating his drug business from abroad. His capture marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Chavarria's actions had previously allowed him to escape justice, but his arrest indicates that authorities are closing in on fugitives who believe they can evade capture.