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While we look back on the year gone by, a selection of outstanding in-depth pieces shines. Such pieces delve into complex subjects ranging from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply personal journeys.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

An author gained prominence in the nineties with biting critiques on power. Although many of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of books. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his sole route out of prison was to enlist in the government military. After fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.

A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. Yet, some scholars was in agreement. The resulting heated controversy has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

The UK Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman 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 committed.

A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law

Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Identity

A documentary tracking a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?

A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, strained finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it restore its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest levels of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's understandable that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get uneasy.

The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center

An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a significant force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle

Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he prepared for the summit.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn baby?

The End of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Mourning

When actions were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

The Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise story of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.

The "Genius" of the Online Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or works of daring genius?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then thought his life could turn around. That hope was sadly misplaced.

A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move

In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could possess the answers to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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