While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories stands out. These pieces delve into multifaceted subjects from political machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path out of prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now cost him his life.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is this person truly changed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment end – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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