Upon consider the past year, a selection of outstanding in-depth articles stands out. These pieces explore complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with sharp satires on authoritarianism. While several of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to move vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as completely rewriting the history of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. Yet, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it repair its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most intractable disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still partially contested.
The "Master" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his situation might change for the better. I was tragically wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
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