As we reflect on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length articles stands out. These narratives probe multifaceted themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Puzzling Author and the Soul of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with scathing satires on autocratic rule. Whereas many of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he continues to sell millions of books. It raises a pressing query: Has the author become an defender for the Kremlin?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his sole route to escape incarceration was to enlist in the government military. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might now cost him his life.
A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as completely changing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing heated controversy has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped uncover the appalling extent of abuse it had committed.
A Statesman's Unexpected Record on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own motives?
The Person Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it restore its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his teachings influence the very highest echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen intellect and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Small State That Became the Global Mediation Hub
An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a significant player on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Deeply unpopular at domestically, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader best placed to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven 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 daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old baby?
An End of a Major Development Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties came to light, there was immense outrage. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Mozart" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered huge sums of cash to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still thought his life might improve. That hope was tragically mistaken.
A Global AI Competition and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the secret to which nation wins the global AI race.
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