While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. Such pieces explore intricate topics including political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting critiques on power. While numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has he become an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the story of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he might hold the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.
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