Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth articles shines. These accounts probe complex topics including geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting satires on autocratic rule. While numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. This raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only route out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as radically re-writing the history of our human race. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, families rely on him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.
A Small State That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant force on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the procedures remains partially unclear.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their islands may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation might turn around. That hope was tragically mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he might possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The best stories
