As we reflect on the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such pieces delve into intricate subjects from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This raises a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, families turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact story of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their home may soon cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the global AI race.
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