Upon look back on the previous year, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles stands out. These narratives explore multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp satires on power. Whereas several of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a key query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Civil War
The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian desert in 2001 was proclaimed as radically rewriting the story of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has taken over the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was just a child when her household became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
The Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
A great many supporters expected that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the UK's dedication to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A documentary following a remorseful fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex questions: Is this person truly reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest hours, families rely on him to restore peace.
Will an Iconic Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, difficult funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its legacy?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an reliable medical solution – up until possibly now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the uppermost levels of government.
An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable background, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Center
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has become a major force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, President Macron enjoys the international stage, where he projects himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain former American leader. Seven years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of what happened is still somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's people is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he might possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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