Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles stands out. These narratives explore multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical discoveries to profoundly personal stories.
A Enigmatic Writer and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on authoritarianism. Whereas numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or left the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his only path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 years, his history as one of Assad's fighters might still cost him his life.
The Bitter Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The discovery of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in 2001 was hailed as completely re-writing the story of our species. Yet, not everyone was persuaded. The subsequent bitter controversy has taken over the lives of researchers ever since.
A British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the appalling extent of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
The Leader's Unexpected Record on International Law
Numerous followers hoped that the prime minister would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the track record over the first year in office has been notably ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film featuring a repentant master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses thorny queries: Is this person genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?
A Person Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has seen – and dealt with – it all. In their darkest times, families rely on him to restore normalcy.
Will an Famous Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by debates over its collection, precarious funding and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Agony of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this condition has long lacked an effective treatment remedy – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. In the present day, his teachings influence the very highest levels of government.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's little wonder that affluent individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to become uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Capital
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a major actor on the international scene, striving to solve some of the most intractable conflicts. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Close-Up View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the statesman most equipped to manage a particular former US president. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
Inside the Trial 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 two-week-old infant?
The End of a Global Aid Organization: Not Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the world were shocked. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was not unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Experiment on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was immense outrage. But the precise nature of the procedures remains somewhat unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours underground – and given away huge sums of money to selected contestants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of daring brilliance?
Life in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is facing the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. Even then hoped his life could turn around. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Now, he might possess the answers to who prevails in the global AI race.
The most impactful journalism
