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As we consider the previous year, a assortment of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. These narratives probe multifaceted subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal journeys.

The Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with biting satires on power. While many of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he still move millions of copies. It prompts a key query: Has he become an defender for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole way to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.

The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as completely re-writing the history of our species. However, not everyone was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight

One woman was only a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

The Leader's Puzzling Record on International Law

A great many followers anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been notably mixed.

Challenging a Nation's Myth

A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?

The Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, individuals turn to him to restore order.

Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, difficult funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an reliable medical solution – up until potentially now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Government

A violent fanatic and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology influence the uppermost echelons of government.

The English Professional With a Dishonest Secret

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become uneasy.

A Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital

An incredibly rich country has transformed into a significant actor on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?

A Inside View at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Extremely disliked at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case

What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?

An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat contested.

A "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's endured 24 hours in slime, two days underground – and given away enormous amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to go?

A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness

As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. Even then believed his situation might turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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