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As we reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth stories emerges. Such pieces delve into multifaceted topics from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.

The Mysterious Novelist and the Conscience of a Country

An author gained prominence in the 1990s with biting critiques on authoritarianism. While numerous of his writer peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of books. This raises a pertinent query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route out of prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers may still cost him his life.

A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely rewriting the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent intense controversy has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of exploitation it had committed.

A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.

Challenging a Nation's Myth

A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she really changed, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?

The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, people rely on him to restore peace.

Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by restitution claims, precarious funding and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The question remains: Is it possible to restore its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment solution – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideology shape the highest levels of the state.

The British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side

With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub

An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a major player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Summitry

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the world arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?

The End of a Major Development Agency: Not Universal Regret

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unexpected.

The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific study in the sixties became public, there was immense anxiety. But the exact truth of the events is still somewhat contested.

A "Mozart" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution

When I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his life might change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.

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