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Upon reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable in-depth articles shines. Such accounts probe complex topics including geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.

A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing satires on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of books. This poses a key query: Has the author turned into an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape prison was to enlist in the government military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings

The finding of ancient remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as radically changing the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has dominated the lives of researchers ever since.

The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.

The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law

A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.

Breaking a Country's Identity

A documentary following a repentant master criminal as she records unscrupulous clients with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the director's own intentions?

A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From murder scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals turn to him to restore order.

Will an Renowned Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, strained funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it repair its reputation?

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

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – until potentially now.

The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology permeate the uppermost levels of government.

An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his sharp mind and flawless credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to become uneasy.

A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital

An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most complex conflicts. What are behind this ambitious project?

An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

What led to the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn infant?

The End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.

The Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women

When information about a scientific study in the 1960s became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.

A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy

He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Life in a Country Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the prospect that their home may soon be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?

A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his life could improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could possess the key to which nation wins the worldwide AI race.

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