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While we consider the year gone by, a assortment of outstanding long-form articles stands out. Such pieces explore intricate subjects including geopolitical machinations and scientific revelations to deeply personal stories.

The Enigmatic Author and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. Although several of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a key query: Has he turned into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict

The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his only route out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 long years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now get him killed.

A Bitter Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally rewriting the history of our species. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated argument has dominated the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

The UK Sect That Hid in the Open

One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law

Many voters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to international law. However, the track record over the past year has been strikingly inconsistent.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film featuring a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true motives?

A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging times, families depend on him to restore peace.

Can an Famous Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?

Plagued by restitution claims, precarious finances and the discovery of an insider theft, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Severe Condition

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical solution – up until potentially now.

A Spectre of Extremism in Contemporary Government

A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideas shape the uppermost echelons of the state.

The British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his keen intellect and sterling reputation, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their wealth. Until they started to get wary.

A Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub

An incredibly rich Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the world stage, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

A Inside Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a certain former US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.

Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their two-week-old baby?

The End of a Major Aid Agency: Far From Universal Mourning

When actions were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.

The Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact story of what happened is still partially contested.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the reality that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: To where are they supposed to go?

One Sorrowful Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might improve. That hope was devastatingly wrong.

A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Defection

In 2020, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.

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