As we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth articles emerges. These accounts explore complex topics ranging from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent intense argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt clients with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest moments, individuals rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical solution – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest levels of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub
An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the full truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
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 who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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