As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories shines. These pieces explore multifaceted subjects including political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on authoritarianism. While several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. It poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Myth
A documentary featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their darkest times, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent medical solution – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideology permeate the uppermost echelons of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the world were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his life might turn around. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global AI Race and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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