While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These pieces explore complex subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly personal journeys.
A Puzzling Author and the Conscience of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Although several of his writer contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. This prompts a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an defender for the establishment?
Endurance and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape prison was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in 2001 was heralded as radically re-writing the story of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense scholarly debate has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a young girl when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she played a key role in reveal the shocking scale of exploitation it had committed.
The Statesman's Unexpected Record on International Law
A great many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. Yet, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.
Challenging a Country's Self-Image
A film featuring a repentant fraudster as she ensnares corrupt clients with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she really changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – it all. In their most challenging times, people rely on him to restore order.
Will an Renowned Museum Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?
Burdened by restitution claims, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries been without an reliable medical remedy – until potentially now.
A Spectre of Extremism in Modern Politics
A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideas permeate the very highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his sharp mind and impeccable credentials, it's no surprise that affluent individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to become suspicious.
The Small State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An extremely wealthy country has become a major actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?
A Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron enjoys the world arena, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain former US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the globe were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Experiment on Indian Women
When information about a medical study in the sixties were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
A "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or works of daring genius?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may soon cease to exist. The urgent issue is: Where are they going to relocate?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his situation might improve. That hope was tragically wrong.
A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Today, he may hold the answers to which nation prevails in the global AI race.
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