Upon consider the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories stands out. Such accounts delve into complex topics from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on power. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of books. This raises a key question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated argument has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing scale of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks difficult queries: Is this person truly changed, and is the director's true intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging hours, individuals turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Severe Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest levels of the state.
An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their assets. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the exact nature of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his situation might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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