While we consider the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth stories emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted subjects including political machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with sharp critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It prompts a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only route out of prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped uncover the shocking breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Prime Minister's Curious Stance on International Law
Many voters anticipated that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and is the director's own methods?
The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest times, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment end – up until potentially now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest echelons of government.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that wealthy individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get wary.
A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key force on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. What are behind this unprecedented project?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Women
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the procedures is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his life might improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
The International AI Competition and a Key Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he may possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
