Upon look back on the past year, a selection of exceptional in-depth articles stands out. Such accounts delve into multifaceted topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters could now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their stickiest moments, families depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of what happened remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast sums of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his situation might improve. I was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
