

Paris: A matter of grave concern
Like practically everyone else last week, I had my eye on the most prestigious place to be buried in France — the Panthéon in Paris. Four French World War II heroes made it through its towering doors on Thursday, personally ushered in by President François Hollande. Two of the new invitees were women, which has been the cause of much celebration here. And no wonder. For the only lady to be admitted on merit in the last 200 years was Marie Curie, the Nobel prizewinner for her


Am I a feminist?
The working class girl who grew up in the shadow of a closed coal pit is not everyone’s cup of tea. But, as I stood washing dishes, I couldn’t feel anything other than pleased by Nicola Sturgeon’s meteoric rise through British politics. The 44-year-old leader of the Scottish National Party has certainly captured the attention of Westminster’s male-dominated elite, particularly after her party’s landslide victory in Scotland in the recent general election. “Good for her!” I th