Place names
If François Hollande is elected French president this week, he will join a very small group: world leaders whose surnames match the names of foreign countries (although Holland is strictly only a region of the Netherlands).
— The closest world leader currently to bear this distinction is Co-Prince Joan Enric Vives Sicilia, the head of state of Andorra, whose surname matches the name of a former kingdom. Nahas Angula, prime minister of Namibia, nearly bears the name of a neighbouring country.
— France has, however, had a prime minister called France: Pierre Mendes France, leader of the Radical Socialists and PM between 1954 and 55.
Going with the flow
Water companies in the south-east complained that record April rainfall is failing to replenish water supplies because it has failed to reach their boreholes. What happens to rain when it falls on land in Europe?
57% taken up by plants or evaporates
28% runs into streams and rivers
15% enters the groundwater and eventually reaches the sea by underground flow
Pension pots
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in