As we consider the previous year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. These pieces delve into multifaceted themes from political intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically changing the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the exact nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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