While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Mysterious Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is this person truly a new person, and what are the director's true methods?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging hours, individuals rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become suspicious.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of what happened is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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