As we look back on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. Such pieces delve into intricate topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have faced suppression or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has the author turned into an defender for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole route out of incarceration was to enlist in the government forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as completely changing the story of our human race. Yet, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the lives of scholars ever since.
A UK Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the shocking extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the past year has been curiously mixed.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary featuring a remorseful con artist as she sets up corrupt individuals with covert recording asks difficult questions: Is this person truly changed, and what are the director's true methods?
The Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an insider theft, the UK's leading cultural institution is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an effective treatment solution – until possibly now.
The Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his teachings shape the uppermost levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they began to get wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has transformed into a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are behind this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for International Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Unethical 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Online Economy
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then thought his life might change for the better. I was sadly wrong.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after spending half his life in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Today, he could hold the key to which nation prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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