As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted topics from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on power. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pressing question: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest times, people turn to him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An End of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially contested.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
