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Upon consider the year gone by, a selection of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.

The Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Country

An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting satires on power. Although numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape prison was to join the government military. Following fourteen long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.

A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The discovery of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. However, some scholars was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.

A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

A great many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks complex queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's own motives?

A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an effective medical remedy – until possibly now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of government.

The English Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his brilliant intellect and sterling reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get uneasy.

A Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a major actor on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?

An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their newborn baby?

The Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret

When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.

The Disturbing 1960s Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise nature of the procedures is still partially shrouded.

A "Master" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then hoped his life could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.

The International AI Race and a Crucial Defection

In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the answers to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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