Upon look back on the previous year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such accounts delve into intricate topics from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal journeys.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only way to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. But, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to restore normalcy.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical solution – up until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent individuals trusted him with their assets. Until they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the world stage, striving to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the full truth of the events is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation might change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.
A Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the key to who wins the global AI race.
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