Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. These narratives probe multifaceted themes including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as radically changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she really reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to bring back order.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation might improve. I was sadly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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