As we reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth pieces emerges. Such narratives probe complex topics including political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on power. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered censorship or left the country, he still move millions of books. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may now cost him his life.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the history of our species. But, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has dominated the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the appalling extent of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Many supporters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to human rights. Yet, the track record over the past year has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording asks thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of government.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unexpected.
The Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of what happened remains somewhat unclear.
The "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the reality that their home may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. I still believed his life could improve. That hope was sadly wrong.
The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The best narratives
