While we look back on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth pieces stands out. These accounts explore intricate topics ranging from political intrigue and historical revelations to deeply human stories.
The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on power. While several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pressing question: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and is the director's own methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From murder scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an effective medical remedy – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings permeate the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy clients trusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a significant actor on the world stage, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life might change for the better. I was devastatingly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global AI race.
The finest stories
