While we reflect on the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles shines. Such pieces probe multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal stories.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Nation
An author rose to fame in the 1990s with biting satires on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It poses a key query: Has he become an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path out of prison was to join the regime military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Bitter Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated argument has consumed the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the appalling extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is she really changed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging times, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – up until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of government.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a major player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
During the Trial of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the full nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away enormous amounts of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then believed his life could turn around. That hope was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Crucial Defection
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he could hold the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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