While we consider the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional in-depth stories shines. These accounts delve into intricate themes ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While many of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This raises a key query: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment solution – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the very highest levels of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of what happened is still somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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