While we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable in-depth stories shines. Such pieces probe intricate subjects including geopolitical machinations and historical discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas numerous of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move millions of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has he become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the history of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is she truly changed, and is the director's true methods?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could improve. I was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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