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Upon reflect on the past year, a assortment of remarkable in-depth pieces emerges. These accounts explore multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.

A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation

An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a pressing query: Has the author become an apologist for the regime?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The account of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Ancient Beginnings

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely re-writing the story of our species. But, a faction was convinced. The resulting intense controversy has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.

A British Cult That Hid in the Open

One woman was just a young girl when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had carried out.

A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights

A great many voters hoped that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the track record over the past year has been curiously mixed.

Breaking a Country's Self-Image

A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person genuinely reformed, and is the director's true methods?

A Man Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Stains

From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to restore normalcy.

Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it repair its reputation?

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

Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical solution – until possibly now.

The Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideology shape the highest levels of government.

An English Professional With a Fraudulent Secret

With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get suspicious.

A Small State That Became the Global Diplomatic Center

An extremely wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

An Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.

During the Trial of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Major Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of what happened remains partially contested.

A "Genius" of the Online Age

He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and distributed enormous sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of daring genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's population is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?

One Sorrowful Case of Youth Destitution

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly misplaced.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might hold the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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