As we look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces shines. Such narratives probe complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he still sell millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the history of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated argument has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical remedy – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich country has risen as a major player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise story of the events remains partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his situation could improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
