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Upon reflect on the past year, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories emerges. Such accounts probe intricate topics from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Although several of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It raises a pressing query: Has the author evolved into an supporter for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Horrific Conflict

The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his only way out of incarceration was to enlist in the regime military. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers could now get him killed.

A Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was convinced. The resulting heated scholarly debate has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A British Sect That Operated in Plain Sight

Philippa Barnes 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 disturbing breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Prime Minister's Curious Record on International Law

Many voters expected that the prime minister would restore the Britain's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously mixed.

Breaking a Nation's Identity

A film featuring a remorseful master criminal as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she truly changed, and is the director's true intentions?

A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has seen – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging hours, people rely on him to bring back normalcy.

Will an Famous Museum Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, the UK's number one museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy

Referred to as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment solution – until possibly now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the very highest echelons of the state.

The English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret

With his sharp intellect and impeccable reputation, it's little wonder that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become wary.

A Small State That Emerged as the World's Diplomatic Capital

An incredibly rich country has transformed into a major player on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

A Inside Look at a President Preparing for International Battle

Extremely disliked at domestically, the French leader enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader most equipped to manage a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story

How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with killing their newborn baby?

An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret

When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was far from unexpected.

A Shocking Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women

When details about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense shock. But the precise story of what happened is still partially contested.

A "Genius" of the Attention Economy

He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and showered vast amounts of money to lucky contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever clickbait – or acts of daring genius?

Life in a Country Endangered by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's population is confronting the possibility that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The urgent question is: Where are they going to relocate?

One Tragic Story of Youth Homelessness

When I met a young boy he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his life might improve. That hope was tragically misplaced.

The International Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Defection

In the recent past, after spending half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.

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