While we look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. These accounts probe multifaceted subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still move millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has risen as a key force on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is facing the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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