While we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts explore multifaceted subjects including political machinations and historical revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a key question: Has the author turned into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's own methods?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, individuals rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
A Tiny Nation That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich country has risen as a key player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child 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 End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut 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 far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the procedures remains partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could improve. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to who wins the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
