Holiday Inn In North London Hopes To Horrify Guests
To promote the horror film Mama, the hotel has received a gory makeover. Rooms have blood soaked sheets and scary graffitti.
Europe
Swedish Commuter Rail Engineers Get Around Dress Code
The drivers were told no more shorts, even though the heat in the cabs can top 95 degrees. They are permitted to wear just long pants or skirts. So many of the male engineers are now wearing skirts.
Britain Apologizes For Colonial-Era Torture Of Kenyan Rebels
The historic apology — and the unprecedented settlement — has been years in the making. A Harvard graduate student helped bring about the settlement for the surviving Mau Mau victims of torture and abuse at the hands of the British.
Not Everyone Cheers Turkey's Move To Tighten Alcohol Rules
Among the many reasons for ongoing riots in Turkey: A recent law restricting the advertising and sale of alcohol. Secular Turks see the new rules as the latest effort by the ruling AK Party to impose religious values on the population.
With Safaris And Yachts, Spanish King Comes Under Fire
King Juan Carlos is suffering his lowest ever approval ratings. Some Spaniards roll their eyes at his high-flying lifestyle and now question the future of the monarchy.
High-Tech Sensors Help Old Port City Leap Into Smart Future
On Spain's Atlantic coast, the city of Santander has installed 12,000 sensors that measure everything from when streetlights need to be dimmed to when trash dumpsters are full — saving millions for cash-strapped public coffers. It's becoming a model for cities worldwide.
Longest Word In German Has Been Retired
German spelling bees are about to get easier: The longest word in German has been retired. It has 63 letters.
Mired In Recession, EU Eases Some Austerity Measures
This week, the European Union gave some of its member nations more time to meet deficit-reduction targets — in other words, to ease back on austerity. The programs have crushed growth and sent European unemployment to a record high 12 percent.
France Celebrates First Same-Sex Marriage, But Not Everyone Is Happy
Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon speaks with French sociologist Michel Wievorka about the wave of popular opposition in France to gay marriage. This past week, for the first time under the new law allowing gay marriage, two men wed in the city of Montpellier.
Swedish High School Flubs Graduation Requirement
School officials broke the news to seniors that they forgot to offer a religion course that's required for students to graduate. The school admits fault. The principal said to graduate on time, seniors had just a few days to complete all the requirements for the yearlong course.