As we look back on the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length articles emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply human sagas.
The Puzzling Writer and the Soul of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell millions of copies. This raises a pressing query: Has he evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his only path out of prison was to join the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in the Open
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the appalling breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Self-Image
A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Cleans the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest moments, families turn to him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent treatment end – up until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.
An English Gentleman With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last meeting, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest letdown was not unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the precise truth of the procedures remains somewhat shrouded.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of artistic genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With sea levels increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is grappling with the possibility that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still believed his life could improve. I was sadly wrong.
The International AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might hold the answers to who wins the global AI race.
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