As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding in-depth pieces emerges. Such accounts probe multifaceted themes ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. This prompts a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest levels of government.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable disputes. What are behind this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact truth of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life could change for the better. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the answers to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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