As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth stories emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects from political machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with biting critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It poses a pressing question: Has the author become an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated argument has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with covert recording poses thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical end – up until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings influence the highest levels of government.
An English Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has become a major force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts 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 latest letdown was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the procedures remains partially unclear.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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