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As we consider the past year, a selection of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. Such narratives delve into multifaceted themes from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.

The Enigmatic Author and the Conscience of a Nation

An author rose to fame in the nineties with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer peers have encountered suppression or left the nation, he still move millions of copies. This poses a key question: Has he become an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only way to escape prison was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's soldiers might now get him killed.

A Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing breadth of abuse it had carried out.

A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law

Many supporters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.

Breaking a Country's Identity

A film tracking a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's own methods?

The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective treatment end – until potentially now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics

A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of the state.

An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret

With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.

The Small Nation That Became the Global Mediation Capital

An extremely wealthy country has risen as a key player on the international scene, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?

An Inside View at a President Gearing Up for International Summitry

Deeply disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for battle.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

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

The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.

A Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to selected participants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution

As I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.

A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection

In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he could hold the key to who wins the global technological rivalry.

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