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While we consider the past year, a selection of exceptional feature-length articles emerges. Such pieces explore intricate subjects from geopolitical machinations and historical revelations to deeply personal sagas.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation

An author became known in the 1990s with sharp satires on power. While numerous of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of books. It raises a pressing query: Has he become an apologist for the regime?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Brutal Civil War

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now get him killed.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings

The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our human race. Yet, not everyone was in agreement. The resulting bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.

The UK Cult That Operated in the Open

One woman was only a young girl when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the disturbing extent of abuse it had committed.

The Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law

A great many followers hoped that the former human rights lawyer would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably mixed.

Breaking a Country's Identity

A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is she truly reformed, and what are the director's own motives?

The Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From murder scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals turn to him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Is it possible to restore its reputation?

Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long lacked an effective treatment remedy – up until perhaps now.

A Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics

A militant extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side

With his sharp mind and flawless background, it's little wonder that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.

A Tiny State That Became the Global Mediation Hub

An incredibly wealthy country has become a key force on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious endeavor?

A Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle

Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist joined him as he prepared for battle.

During the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case

How did the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their two-week-old infant?

The Dismantling of a Major Development 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 ground in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.

A Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the precise story of the events is still somewhat unclear.

A "Genius" of the Attention Age

He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and showered vast sums of cash to selected participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or works of avant garde genius?

Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Encroaching Seas

With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent issue is: Where are they supposed to go?

A Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness

As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. I still hoped his life could improve. I was tragically wrong.

A International AI Competition and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could hold the answers to who wins the worldwide AI race.

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