While we reflect on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. These accounts explore intricate topics including political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. This poses a pressing query: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she sets up unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical remedy – until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the highest levels of the state.
The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become suspicious.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major actor on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular former American leader. 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 a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could turn around. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
