While we reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such narratives probe intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply human journeys.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent question: Has the author become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and what are the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas influence the highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his situation might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
