While we look back on the previous year, a selection of outstanding in-depth stories emerges. These narratives probe intricate subjects ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
The Mysterious Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp critiques on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Ancient Origins
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to international law. But, the record over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is she truly changed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – it all. In their most challenging moments, people depend on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long lacked an reliable treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the highest levels of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Secret
With his brilliant intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their assets. Then they started to become uneasy.
The Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to handle a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense shock. But the full nature of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply very clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
