Upon reflect on the year gone by, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. These pieces explore intricate topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific discoveries to deeply human sagas.
The Mysterious Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could still cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our species. However, some scholars was persuaded. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the shocking scale of exploitation it had carried out.
A Statesman's Curious Record on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's dedication to international law. Yet, the performance over the past year has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with covert recording raises complex questions: Is she truly a new person, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, people turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Omni-Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology shape the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side
With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get wary.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. What are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for International Battle
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Organization: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense shock. But the full truth of what happened remains partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered huge sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or works of artistic brilliance?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then thought his life could improve. That hope was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection
In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may hold the secret to who prevails in the global AI race.
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