The last decade saw remarkable development in the technology and methods used to understand ancient human DNA. These approaches offer exciting new ways to explore human origins and, writes Marlize Lombard, were put to fascinating use on remains from two South African sites. The result? Researchers have recalculated the time at which humans like us first split from archaic or pre-modern human groups to between 350 000 and 260 000 years ago.

It’s been 24 years since Cambodia’s first modern-era elections. And, reports Rhona Smith, the political landscape is troubling ahead of next year’s scheduled polls: the country is on the brink of becoming a one-party state.

For decades, officials in Puerto Rico have tried to brand the country to attract outsiders and prospective investors. Now, as the island reels in the wake of Hurricane Maria, Carlos A Suárez Carrasquillo examines why aggressive marketing has done more harm than good.