Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces delve into intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is she really a new person, and what are the director's own methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might turn around. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
