John Major condemns ‘callous’ aid cuts and growing national self-interest | John Major

John Major has condemned cuts to overseas aid as “callous” and shortsighted, in a blistering speech that took aim at leaders obsessed by national self-interest and explicitly linked Donald Trump with Xi Jinping as the world’s main destabilising forces. Arguing that his age and lack of connection to everyday politics gave him the ability to … Read more

Congrats to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez on the wedding – and to Venice for running them out of town | Emma Brockes

There are so many questions swirling around the forthcoming wedding of Jeff Bezos to Lauren Sánchez this weekend – for instance, who in their right mind books Venice in high summer? Why isn’t Katy Perry going? And how is Eva Longoria still on every guest list, despite not having been famous since 2012? – but … Read more

New corruption scandal, same old story? Why Spanish politics keeps failing to clean up its act | María Ramírez

On 31 May 2018, Pedro Sánchez, then the socialist opposition leader, delivered a powerful speech introducing the motion of no confidence that led to him becoming prime minister for the first time. It was a passionate speech, laced with detail. His target was the serving conservative PM, Mariano Rajoy, and his central argument for ousting … Read more

How Lisbon made itself irresistible to tourists – and became the least affordable city in Europe | Agustín Cocola-Gant

Over the past decade, Lisbon has undergone a dramatic transformation – from one of the most affordable capitals in Europe to the most unaffordable. Between 2014 and 2024, house prices in the city rose by 176%, and by more than 200% in its central historic districts. The home price to income ratio, a key indicator … Read more