As we consider the previous year, a curated list of outstanding in-depth stories stands out. These accounts explore complex themes ranging from political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human stories.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Country
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Although several of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of books. It raises a key query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The story of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting heated controversy has dominated the careers of scholars ever since.
The British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling scale of exploitation it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the the nation's dedication to international law. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's true motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Darkest Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals turn to him to restore order.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has long been without an reliable treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings shape the highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a major force on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.
During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread shock. But the exact truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and distributed vast sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their homeland may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still thought his life could improve. That hope was sadly mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful narratives
