Upon look back on the past year, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These accounts probe multifaceted subjects including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human journeys.
A Puzzling Writer and the Conscience of a Nation
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. While several of his literary peers have encountered suppression or fled the country, he continues to sell millions of copies. It raises a key question: Has he turned into an defender for the establishment?
Survival and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at eighteen was informed that his only path to escape prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following 14 long years, his past as one of Assad's soldiers might now put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of ancient remains in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally changing the story of our human race. Yet, a faction was convinced. The resulting bitter argument has dominated the careers of researchers ever since.
The UK Religious Group That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped reveal the appalling breadth of abuse it had committed.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
Numerous supporters anticipated that the former human rights lawyer would restore the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been curiously inconsistent.
Challenging a Nation's Myth
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the filmmaker's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and restored – everything. In their darkest moments, individuals depend on him to restore normalcy.
Can an Renowned Institution Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Plagued by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its standing?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an consistent treatment solution – up until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Modern Politics
A militant fanatic and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideas influence the very highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Crooked Side
With his keen mind and impeccable background, it's little wonder that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center
An astonishingly rich country has become a key force on the international scene, working to mediate some of the most long-standing conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for International Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Case
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
The Dismantling of a Major Development Agency: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
The Shocking Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers
When information about a scientific study in the sixties came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the exact nature of what happened is still partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in a vat of goo, two days buried alive – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is confronting the possibility that their home may soon be submerged. The critical question is: To where are they going to go?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness
When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. Even then thought his situation could change for the better. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the worldwide technological rivalry.
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