As we consider the year gone by, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. Such narratives delve into intricate topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of books. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the story of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Self-Image
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's own methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, people depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the uppermost echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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