Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth stories stands out. Such pieces explore complex subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While many of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. This poses a pressing question: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may now get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many voters hoped that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to bring back peace.
Will an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and sterling background, it's understandable that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the events remains somewhat unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and showered huge sums of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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