While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. Such accounts explore intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Mysterious Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of books. This prompts a key question: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, families turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable treatment solution – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Key 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 hold the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
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