As we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. These pieces delve into multifaceted themes ranging from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole way to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Small Nation That Became the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he positions 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 summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.
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