As we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories shines. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our human race. But, some scholars was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Record on International Law
Many followers anticipated that the prime minister would renew the the nation's commitment to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is this person truly a new person, and is the director's true intentions?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their darkest moments, people turn to him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Pregnancy
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a particular sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Not Widespread Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is facing the reality that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. I was tragically misplaced.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
The most impactful stories
