As we consider the year gone by, a selection of remarkable feature-length articles emerges. Such accounts explore intricate subjects from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author turned into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the narrative of our human race. However, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Sect That Operated in Plain Sight
One woman was just a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped uncover the disturbing extent of mistreatment it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights
Numerous followers expected that the prime minister would renew the UK's dedication to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant fraudster as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises complex queries: Is she really a new person, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans the UK's Darkest Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest hours, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it repair its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an consistent treatment remedy – until possibly now.
A Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his teachings shape the highest echelons of government.
The English Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his keen intellect and flawless background, it's no surprise that wealthy clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to become wary.
The Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Capital
An incredibly wealthy Gulf state has transformed into a key force on the international scene, attempting to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious project?
A Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain former American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The Dismantling of a Major Aid Agency: Not Universal Regret
When efforts were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread shock. But the exact nature of the events remains partially contested.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days buried alive – and given away enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly clever clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Sorrowful Case of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation could change for the better. I was tragically mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he could possess the secret to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
