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While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. Such narratives probe multifaceted themes from political intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.

The Puzzling Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

Victor Pelevin became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the nation, he still move millions of books. It raises a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?

Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Conflict

The account of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Ancient Origins

The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling breadth of exploitation it had carried out.

The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law

A great many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.

Shattering a Nation's Identity

A documentary featuring a remorseful master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is this person really a new person, and what are the filmmaker's true methods?

A Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Scenes

From crime scenes to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.

Can an Famous Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to salvage its standing?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until perhaps now.

A Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Politics

A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas shape the uppermost levels of government.

An British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret

With his keen mind and impeccable reputation, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they started to get suspicious.

The Small Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a significant player on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?

A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Battle

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron relishes the world arena, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to manage a certain former US president. Seven years after their last meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for battle.

During the Court Case of a Tragic Case

How did the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old infant?

An Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Regret

When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent development organization, many around the world were surprised. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Shocking 1960s Experiment on Indian Mothers

When information about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.

A "Genius" of the Online Economy

He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of Tuvalu's people is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon become uninhabitable. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?

A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still believed his situation could change for the better. That hope was sadly wrong.

The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.

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