Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. These accounts probe complex topics including political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. Yet, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt clients with covert recording raises thorny queries: Is this person truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, families turn to him to restore order.
Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are fueling this unprecedented project?
An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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