As we consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form articles shines. Such accounts probe intricate topics including political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on authoritarianism. While numerous of his literary peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. This poses a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.
The Fierce Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the disturbing breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Leader's Curious Record on Human Rights
A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. However, the record over the first year in office has been notably inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording raises difficult questions: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true methods?
A Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From murder scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, people rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's leading cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical remedy – until possibly now.
A Ghost of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the highest levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get suspicious.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Hub
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a significant player on the world stage, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the world arena, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to manage a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?
The End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of the events remains somewhat contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of artistic genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then believed his situation could change for the better. I was sadly mistaken.
The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after living decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he could possess the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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