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When we imagine evolution, we often picture it unfolding at a leisurely, predictable pace, small changes stacking up over time like bricks in a wall. That’s the traditional view: gradualism, the slow grind of nature perfecting its handiwork. But what if evolution doesn’t always play by those rules? What if nature has a taste for the dramatic, long stretches of calm, interrupted by bursts of sudden change? That’s the idea behind punctuated equilibrium (PE), a theory introduced in the 1970s by palaeontologists Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge. Rather than a smooth evolutionary curve, PE proposes a jagged rhythm: long periods where species remain largely unchanged, punctuated by short, intense episodes of change, often triggered by environmental disruption or internal developmental shifts. ...

When we think about evolution, we usually imagine something like survival of the fittest, organisms scrabbling to adapt to harsh environments, with only the strongest traits passing on to the next generation. But what if much of the story wasn’t written in the open battlefields of nature, but quietly, deep inside the womb? That’s exactly the idea behind the work of paleoanthropologist Anne Dambricourt-Malassé. Her research suggests that one of the most important drivers of human evolution isn’t some dramatic change in diet, climate, or hunting technique, but the early developmental behaviour of a small, oddly shaped bone at the base of the skull: the sphenoid. ...

We often think of democratic deficits as abstract, something that lives in Brussels conference rooms and academic papers. But in practice, power without accountability isn’t just theoretical. It shows up in the bills you pay, the apps you use, the water you drink, and the politicians you never seem to be able to reach. Here’s how it plays out across key sectors: Climate and energy, lofty goals, murky delivery Europe’s climate policy is a paradox: ambitious in targets, opaque in implementation. ...

Europe does not lack power. It lacks responsibility. From national governments to supranational institutions, boardrooms to bureaucracies, decisions are made daily that affect millions. And yet, ask the average citizen who actually decided to privatise their rail service, greenlight a mega-merger, or rubber-stamp a controversial directive, and you’ll be met with a shrug. Somewhere, a meeting happened. A hand was raised. And life changed, with no one to call, no one to vote out, and no one who seems particularly bothered either way. ...

In certain corners of politics and punditry, a curious thesis has been gaining ground: that our societies are teetering on the brink because of an “oversupply of elite.” Too many graduates, too many experts, too many laptop-class professionals sipping ethically sourced coffee while redesigning the world from their glass towers. It’s a neat little idea. Trouble is, it’s also largely nonsense. This article unpacks the claim, considers its strongest arguments, and then gives it the send-off it deserves, ideally with a clipboard and a gentle push down the escalator of wishful thinking. ...

The European Democracy Shield (EUDS), a name that practically screams “importance”, if not effectiveness. One imagines a shining bulwark of European resolve, standing firm against the onslaught of foreign interference, disinformation, and creeping authoritarianism. In practice, though, we might be dealing with something rather less heroic: an ambitious framework coated in Brussels gloss, promising much, delivering… well, that remains to be seen. The EUDS: idealism or institutional theatre? On paper, the European Democracy Shield is a bold step. It claims to offer a in-depth defence of democratic norms, combining regulation of digital spaces, protection for media, and support for civil society into one elegant package. But the EU is no stranger to bold declarations. The question is whether this will be another statement of intent with no meaningful enforcement, or something that actually holds the line. ...

This cheerful little analysis explores how Europe’s recent budget-slashing spree is playing out, cutting aid, climate finance, health, and all those other inconvenient things that don’t explode or vote. The immediate fallout (spoiler: it’s not great), the long-term consequences (even less great), and how all these “fiscally responsible” choices might cost several times more down the road. Think of it as a guide to burning down your house to save on heating. Only the house is a continent, and the smoke alarms are also being cut. ...

Why did Israel really attack Iran? Analysis with wit and additional perspectives by PR included. Israel’s recent strikes on Iran mark a dramatic escalation in a decades-long shadow war that has finally emerged from the shadows, rather like a pensioner suddenly taking up parkour. The reasons behind this attack weave together existential threats, geopolitical manoeuvring, domestic politics, and enough ideological hostility to make a North London dinner party look tame. Below, the key drivers, from nuclear paranoia to Netanyahu’s increasingly creative approaches to job retention, with a deeper look at Iran’s creaking regime, a misfiring axis of resistance, and the global political theatre fuelling it all. ...

In De onvoltooide rechtsstaat (The Unfinished Rule of Law), published on 4 June 2025 to mark his retirement from the Dutch Supreme Court, Ybo Buruma offers a sweeping yet pointed dissection of the Netherlands’ legal journey, and its current disintegration. Part historical reflection, part polemic, the book contends that the Dutch rule of law, once a source of pride, is now under threat from populism, political short-termism, and the perilous belief that majority rule is justice enough. ...

The idea that land is a “God-given” right has been the ultimate trump card for rulers, conquerors, and elites for centuries. Whether through feudal oaths, biblical covenants, or nationalist manifestos, the claim of divine or hereditary entitlement has shaped empires, sparked wars, and left millions dispossessed. This article traces how these narratives evolved, from medieval Europe’s fiefs to the Zionist Promised Land, from the Doctrine of Discovery to modern ethnonationalism, and asks: who really benefits from heavenly real estate deals? ...