Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form pieces shines. These narratives delve into multifaceted themes ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the nineties with scathing satires on power. Whereas several of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It poses a pertinent query: Has he turned into an apologist for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of a young man, who at 18 was given an ultimatum that his only way to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Fierce Dispute Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was hailed as radically changing the story of our species. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling breadth of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Curious Stance on Human Rights
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been strikingly ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Identity
A film following a remorseful master criminal as she records corrupt individuals with hidden cameras asks difficult questions: Is she genuinely changed, and is the director's own intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest times, people depend on him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Renowned Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the exposure of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its standing?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Known as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an effective treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the highest echelons of the state.
An British Gentleman With a Dishonest Side
With his sharp intellect and sterling credentials, it's understandable that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their fortunes. Until they started to get suspicious.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has become a key force on the world stage, attempting to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader enjoys the world stage, where he presents himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their newborn infant?
An End of a Global Development Organization: Far From Widespread Regret
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Disturbing Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific study in the 1960s came to light, there was immense anxiety. But the full nature of what happened is still partially unclear.
A "Mozart" of the Online Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of cash to lucky contestants. But are these videos simply very savvy entertainment – or acts of avant garde brilliance?
Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the possibility that their homeland may soon be submerged. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Sorrowful Story of Childhood Destitution
As I encountered a young boy he was 13 and without a home. I still believed his life could turn around. I was sadly misplaced.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Crucial Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the United States, Song-Chun Zhu took a permanent move to China. Now, he may hold the key to who wins the worldwide technological rivalry.
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