And once again, we set off for a quick trip around the world with interesting news that you probably won’t see anywhere else today.
Spain: Things tourists do that annoy Spaniards
Visitors to Spain generally come away with a positive image of both the country and its people.
Why wouldn’t they? Spaniards are genuinely welcoming people and proud of everything their country has to offer to international visitors.
But — let’s face it — tourism is not always pretty, and not every guest leaves such a good impression behind when they leave Spain. ... (Read more)
The Local
Japan: Former automotive engineer designs more user friendly wheelchair
A wheelchair designed by a former automotive engineer that promises to be more comfortable and easier to operate than conventional models is set to go on sale from September.
The Whill wheelchair was designed by Satoshi Sugie, 32, who once worked as a designer at Nissan Motor Co. He eventually convinced other young engineers to join him ... (Read more)
Asahi Shimbun
Germany: Pretty as a picture
The garden kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz in eastern Germany is an exceptional early example of English garden landscaping in Germany. Its 18th century royal creator has been heralded as a garden pioneer. ... (Read more)
DW
UK: For Westfalia owners, freedom rides on four wheels
Bernie Steininger, a well-tanned retiree with a laid-back mien, is showing off his white 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon. It is a Westfalia, a pop-top box that is neither recreational vehicle nor minivan. Not a speck of rust is to be seen on Steininger’s example, but the rear windows are covered with stickers, one of which simply declares, “Road Trip!” ... (Read more)
BBC
UAE: Fake degrees just a phone call away in UAE?
BThe Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) has warned against fake websites offering degrees that do not require class attendance or examinations. Earning a doctorate has become as easy as ordering a pair of shoes online, with websites claiming to offer accredited and approved degrees in various fields within 15 days for a fee as low as $199BC ... (Read more)
Gulf News
Russia: Washing is definitely woman’s work in Siberia
Raccoons are known for washing food but look what happens when they scrub clothes!
The animals were set to work in a competition at Krasnoyarsk Zoo on 9 August as they celebrated Raccoon Day.
Artem, the male raccoon, was full of determination to complete the task, but in the end was disqualified for eating the buttons of the clothes ... (Read more)
The Siberian Times
Greece: Antiparos, a Norwegian ‘colony’
“I arrived at Antiparos for the first time by chance, before it became popular among Scandinavians. My first memories of Antiparos are dominated by a feeling of absolute serenity and the strong smells of thyme and oregano ... (Read more)
Ekathimerini
*Image of panoramic view of the old city of Ronda, Spain via Shutterstock