Upon look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form articles stands out. Such narratives explore complex topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to deeply personal journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on authoritarianism. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still move vast numbers of copies. This poses a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the narrative of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the performance over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Challenging a Country's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks thorny queries: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging times, individuals turn to him to bring back peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Severe Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to become uneasy.
The Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has transformed into a key actor on the international scene, attempting to solve some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the international arena, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?
The End of a Major Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
A Shocking Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread shock. But the precise nature of the events is still partially shrouded.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered enormous amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic genius?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the reality that their islands may soon be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they going to go?
A Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could change for the better. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he could possess the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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