While we reflect on the past year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories emerges. These accounts delve into multifaceted themes from political intrigue and historical discoveries to deeply human journeys.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. This poses a pertinent question: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole route out of prison was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the narrative of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Breaking a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person really changed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore order.
Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical solution – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic 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 two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the events is still somewhat shrouded.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and given away vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their islands may soon cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life could change for the better. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the key to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
