Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional long-form pieces emerges. These accounts explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
An author became known in the 1990s with scathing critiques on autocratic rule. While many of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. This raises a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government military. Following 14 years, his past as one of Assad's fighters might still get him killed.
A Fierce Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. However, not everyone was persuaded. The ensuing bitter argument has consumed the lives of researchers ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking breadth of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on Human Rights
A great many voters anticipated that the prime minister would restore the Britain's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Identity
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous individuals with covert recording poses complex queries: Is she truly a new person, and is the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest hours, families depend on him to restore peace.
Will an Renowned Museum Endure an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Condition
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has long been without an effective medical remedy – up until possibly now.
A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas permeate the highest levels of the state.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his keen intellect and impeccable background, it's understandable that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Tiny State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly wealthy country has become a key player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?
An Close-Up View at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the statesman most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story
What led to the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Global Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was not unforeseen.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the precise truth of the procedures remains partially contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and given away vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is confronting the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still thought his life could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the secret to which nation prevails in the worldwide AI race.
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