As we look back on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable in-depth stories stands out. Such narratives explore multifaceted themes including political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While many of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting intense argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest hours, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
An English Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a significant actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the events remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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