While we look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces stands out. These narratives delve into complex subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to move vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author become an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of ancient remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our human race. However, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the appalling extent of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals rely on him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the highest echelons of government.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
A Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures remains partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his situation could improve. I was sadly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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