Whenever we go on a chess holiday (a tournament for Phil to play in and somewhere for me to explore) someone inevitably asks me if I play. To which the answer is that I know how the pieces move but, no, I don’t play. I know a lot of chess jargon and chess philosophy even but, no, I don’t play. I once drove Grandson Number One crazy because I moved so slowly. I also drove him crazy when we played a FIFA game on the computer as I kept kicking the ball in the wrong direction, unintentionally, of course. I’m just not very good at games but provided the game is not too complex I will join in, unlike the writer of this article, who believes that games should be banned for anyone over the age of 12. I think she exaggerates somewhat.
A couple of days ago some 60,000 Moroccans crossed the border into Ceuta, Spanish territory in North Africa. It seems Morocco may have helped to open the border, not so much to reclaim Ceuta as to disrupt Spain. Spain seems to have things sort of under control though, and a lot of them have now gone back to Morocco.
Donald Trump is reported to have told a cabinet meeting: “I saw Spain yesterday, and I watched the catastrophe that took place. It looks like an invasion of a country.
“Hundreds of thousands of people. And that same thing’s going to happen to us if the Republicans don’t get elected, except worse, much bigger, much easier to get into.”
As with so many things to do with Trump, the numbers were rather larger than life. And the US department of state is placing the blame on the socialist administration of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez.
“This unacceptable incident is the direct result of the Spanish Government’s deliberate efforts to enable and facilitate mass illegal migration into Europe,” they said.
And Giorgia Meloni says Italy is suspending the EU's border-free Schengen arrangements with Spain, and has agreed to strengthen controls along the Franco-Italian land border to try to prevent any undocumented migrants from crossing. Panic all round.
However, Spain's interior ministry says the majority of those who entered the Spanish territory in North Africa have already returned to Morocco
One young Moroccan, Abdulah Buji, told reporters he was inspired by the thought that this collective crossing could somehow unlock his dream of reaching Spain and starting a new life in Europe. "Spain gives you the chance to make your future, not like Morocco," said Buji, a 21-year-old who is studying to be a teacher. "I am a talented boy. I just want a chance."
He swam round the border fence to reach Ceuta and lost his belongings and his money in the process. But at least he didn’t lose his life like some swimmers did.
When he realized that he would likely face legal limbo and detention, he turned around and headed back.
"I've spent perhaps 14 years studying, but there's nothing at home, and I'd have to work 12-hour shifts for a meager wage," Buji said. “That's why I came here, but I haven't found any opportunities here either, so I have to go back."
That’s one young man’s story
Life goes on. Stay safe and well, everyone!
