A Top Feature Stories of the Year: An Selection of Profound Journalism

As we look back on the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding in-depth articles shines. Such pieces probe intricate topics including political machinations and scientific discoveries to profoundly human journeys.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country

An author became known in the 1990s with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to move vast numbers of books. It prompts a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the regime?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The account of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of Assad's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.

A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in the early 2000s was hailed as radically re-writing the narrative of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

The British Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was just a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Statesman's Curious Record on International Law

Many followers expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares corrupt clients with covert recording raises difficult queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

The Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.

Can an Famous Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an consistent treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics

A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.

An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become wary.

The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the world stage, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious role?

An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unforeseen.

The Disturbing Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women

When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the full nature of what happened remains somewhat unclear.

A "Master" of the Online Age

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean

With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?

One Sorrowful Case of Childhood Homelessness

When I met Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.

A International AI Competition and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he may hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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