Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. Such narratives probe multifaceted themes from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
The Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to sell millions of copies. It poses a pressing query: Has he turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been notably mixed.
Challenging a Nation's Identity
A film following a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person genuinely a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, people rely on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might improve. I was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation wins the global AI race.
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