Upon reflect on the previous year, a assortment of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. Such pieces delve into complex themes from political intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the nineties with scathing critiques on power. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to move millions of books. It poses a key question: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the regime?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was informed that his sole route to escape prison was to join the government forces. After fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could still put him in mortal danger.
A Bitter Dispute Over Our Ancient Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was hailed as completely changing the story of our species. Yet, a faction was persuaded. The resulting intense controversy has dominated the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A British Cult That Operated in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her household joined the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking breadth of exploitation it had committed.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Record on International Law
A great many followers expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the the nation's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A documentary following a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras raises difficult questions: Is she truly reformed, and is the filmmaker's true methods?
The Man Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From homicide sites to whale blubber, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their darkest moments, people rely on him to restore peace.
Can an Renowned Museum Survive an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained finances and the exposure of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an consistent medical end – up until potentially now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Modern Government
A militant extremist and pioneer of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his keen mind and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that wealthy clients entrusted him with their assets. Until they started to get uneasy.
A Tiny Nation That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An extremely rich Gulf state has become a key force on the international scene, working to solve some of the most long-standing disputes. What are behind this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international stage, where he positions himself as the statesman best placed to deal with a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
The End of a Major Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When efforts were made to dismantle a major US development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of the procedures remains somewhat contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the possibility that their islands may soon become uninhabitable. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to go?
A Sorrowful Case of Childhood Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might change for the better. I was tragically misplaced.
A International AI Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living decades in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
