As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories shines. Such narratives probe complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely rewriting the history of our species. However, some scholars was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A film following a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is she really reformed, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich country has become a major player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented project?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed enormous amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: To where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might improve. I was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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