While we consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. Such pieces explore intricate subjects including geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has he 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 way out of prison was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
The English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An extremely rich country has transformed into a significant force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life might turn around. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
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