As we look back on the past year, a assortment of exceptional in-depth stories shines. These accounts explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. It raises a key question: Has the author become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole path out of prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking scale of abuse it had carried out.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Myth
A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses complex questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich country has transformed into a significant player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the full story of the events is still partially contested.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation could turn around. I was devastatingly misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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