Conquerors of the Courts
This piece examines The Federalist Society, an organisation that it suggests is having a far reaching impact on the American justice system, from the Supreme Court down.
Why Some Platforms Thrive and Others Don’t
An analysis of the factors that make marketplace businesses work, and what makes them fail, comparing leading examples such as AirBnB, Uber, Alibaba, and Didi.
Is Ancient DNA Research Revealing New Truths — or Falling Into Old Traps?
A piece covering the hornets nest stirred up in scientific and archaeological communities by a paper using DNA analysis to suggest large scale revisions to the story of human migration and habitation over the ages.
Salvator Mundi
A mixture of auction house intrigue and sharp practices in the arts world meets the geo-politics of Trump, Russia and the Saudi royal family.
Why the richest woman in Britain changed her will 26 times
The story of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, currently being portrayed on screen by Rachel Weisz in the awards season contender The Favourite.
How Beauty Is Making Scientists Rethink Evolution
Complete with extraordinary photography, a look at the evolutionary factors leading animals to have “conspicuous, metabolically costly and physically burdensome sexual ornaments”, such as the beautiful plumage of exotic birds.
The Mysterious Life (and Death) of Africa’s Oldest Trees
New research suggests that baobabs are dying in unprecedented number. This is the story of the ancient trees (the oldest amongst them shared the planet with Julius Caesar) and their multi-purpose usage by the people and animals who live by them (sparring partner, burial ground, gallows, super-food and more).
I Almost Married a Con Man
The story of an experienced journalist’s doomed relationship with the man she called “The Commander”. She asks herself why she, someone trained to ask questions, didn’t see the warning signs.
The Philosopher Redefining Equality
A study of the philosopher Elizabeth Anderson, and the theory she has “elaborated across decades”. The theory, in its essence, is that “equality is the basis for a free society”.
Jamal Khashoggi’s final months as an exile in the long shadow of Saudi Arabia
An nuanced account of the murdered author’s last few months.