The Bottom Line

The Pope bets against the bullies

Columnist Troy Nahumko looks at how the Catholic Church, long a shrewd player of the odds, may finally be learning to back a more compassionate horse

Troy Nahumko

The Music Maker

Meat me in the summer

When the whole village fires up the grill for the first barbecue Sunday of the year, columnist Peter Edgerton finds himself the sole conscientious objector - armed with a cheese sandwich and a convincing excuse

Peter Edgerton

The Euro Zone

Loud and clear

Columnist Mark Nayler looks at how two Madrid demonstrations in one weekend laid bare the mounting pressures threatening to bring down Pedro Sánchez's government

Mark Nayler

Food and drink

Home distilling

"Looked at coolly, there appears to be zero logic in a justice system that turns a blind eye to home brewing or making fruit liquors in our kitchens but considers distilled 'alcohol' a devil's brew," comments columnist Andrew J. Linn

Andrew J. Linn
  • Last year's World Paella Day in Valencia.
    Last year's World Paella Day in Valencia. (Irene Marsilla)

    Cuisine

    A visit to Valencia, home of paella, where locals skip the seafood

    Paella is renowned as Spain's national dish, at home and abroad. But in Valencia, people shake their heads in wonder when you order one for dinner. We headed to the home town of this beloved dish to figure out why, and what we should be eating instead

    Wolfgang Stelljes, DPA
  • Torremolinos FreakCon
    Torremolinos FreakCon. (Marilú Báez)

    Culture

    Every possible world at Torremolinos FreakCon

    The festival that champions geek culture draws hundreds of fans of comics, anime, film, television and video games to the Costa del Sol

    Carlos Zamarriego