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Friday, January 9, 2026
TopicThe Conversation

Topic: The Conversation

What did Roman wine taste like? Not as bad as you were told

Many of the longstanding misconceptions surrounding Roman wine come from a lack of insight into one of the most characteristic features of Roman winemaking: fermentation in clay jars or dolia.

For Mayans, solar eclipse signalled heavenly clashes—They kept track with sophisticated records

Accomplished mathematicians, they recorded systematic observations on the motion of the Sun, planets and stars.

How central Asian Jews & Muslims worked together in London’s 20th-century fur, carpet trade

The hidden history of commerce between UK, Afghanistan, and Central Asia serves as a reminder of the possibility of inter-religious coexistence in even the most fraught of times.

Oscars aren’t just about movies. It became biggest free-for-all international fashion show

After Lupita Nyong’o wore a powder blue Prada dress to the 2014 Oscars, she became the new 'It girl' overnight.

Beyonce’s foray into country music will help it break away from stereotypes

Beyoncé joins performers like Charley Pride and Mickey Guyton – country stars whose success forced them to confront questions about the links between their racial and musical identities.

How to know when someone is having a seizure–and how you can help in first critical minutes

For some people, seizure is a purely internal sensation. To an untrained observer, it may appear as though nothing’s wrong.

How politics in South Korea affect policy in North Korea

Relations with the North are one of the most contentious issues in South Korean politics.

What if King Charles can no longer perform his duties? He has 3 options

For now, Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles III, who has been diagnosed with cancer, will continue performing his official paperwork and holding weekly meetings with the prime minister.

Toxic positivity is out, indulgent pettiness is in. Ranting is cathartic but alienating

While complaining brings people together, it can also push us apart through ostracisation or rejection.

4 billion people from 40+ countries eligible to vote in 2024. Is this democracy’s biggest test?

National elections will be held in the United States, India, Indonesia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Mexico, and South Africa, to name just a few.

On Camera

Why Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella needed a low-budget blog

The site is intended to become a written record of evidence Nadella is a big idea kind of guy. A cynic might call it a kind of intellectual cosplay.

Global economic growth to slow in 2026 as Trump’s tariffs bite, UN says

The global economy is forecast to expand 2.7% this year, down from an estimated 2.8% in 2025. Growth is expected to go back up to 2.9% by 2027.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.