Who are the new jihadis?
The author analyses information available about terrorist attackers today and evaluates the theory that they are “violent nihilists who adopt Islam, rather than religious fundamentalists who turn to violence”.
The Day We Discovered Our Parents Were Russian Spies
Donald Heathfield and Tracey Foley’s two sons believed their parents were affluent, highly educated Canadians, who happened to live and work in America. In fact, they were Russian spies who had been deep undercover for several decades.
Manchester City’s plan for global domination
A look at City Football Group’s ambitious plans to build a global network of clubs and radically reshape football’s business model.
How the sandwich consumed Britain
If you have been looking for a deep dive into the macroeconomics, microeconomics, design process, supply chain, and key players of the sandwich industry, then this is for you. A surprisingly engaging piece looking at a phenomenally successful £8bn industry, that will also teach you the meaning of the term “goblin caves”.
How Britain did Gaddafi’s dirty work
A story suggesting that MI6 played a significant part in rendition programmes in collaboration with Muammar al-Gaddafi’s Libyan regime and the US – a far more significant part than was previously known.
The Neo-Nazi Murder Trial Revealing Germany’s Darkest Secrets
A spate of linked murders has revealed worryingly active far right movements in Germany. Even more alarming is the strange role in the affair played by the German intelligence services.
Fiercest of rivals, best of friends: cross-party pals in parliament
A piece looking at friendships in parliament that cross party lines. A piece with a positive slant that is perhaps unsurprisingly generating immediate online praise and opprobrium (in almost equal measure).
Revenge of the Tabloids
British tabloid newspapers were thought by many to be in irreversible decline due to falling print circulation and repeated scandals, yet they have had their enduring influence dramatically underlined by events in 2016.
The last Nazi hunters
A look at the work of Germany’s Central Office for the Investigation of National Socialist Crimes.
How to spot a perfect fake: the world’s top art forgery detective
As the prices commanded by landmark works and artists rise ever higher, so too does the sophistication of forgeries being produced to dupe collectors and institutions. A tip: it’s apparently far easier to copy a Modigliani than a Leonardo – at a recent exhibition of his work, 20 out of the 21 works on display were found to be counterfeits. This piece profiles the man said to be the very best in the field of science-led authentication.