Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of remarkable in-depth pieces shines. These narratives explore multifaceted topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. While several of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a pressing query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the UK's commitment to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks complex queries: Is this person truly changed, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, people turn to him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective treatment remedy – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his brilliant mind and flawless background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get wary.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An extremely wealthy country has risen as a significant player on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. What are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened remains partially shrouded.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life could improve. I was devastatingly wrong.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the answers to who wins the global AI race.
The finest narratives
