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Upon reflect on the past year, a curated list of exceptional feature-length articles shines. Such pieces probe multifaceted topics including political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human stories.

A Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Country

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with scathing critiques on authoritarianism. Although several of his writer contemporaries have faced censorship or left the country, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the Kremlin?

Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict

The tale of a young man, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Argument Over Humanity's Earliest Origins

The unearthing of fossilised remains in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically re-writing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was in agreement. The ensuing bitter argument has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she helped expose the shocking extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.

The Leader's Puzzling Stance on International Law

Numerous voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would renew the Britain's dedication to human rights. However, the record over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Challenging a Country's Identity

A film tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is this person genuinely changed, and what are the director's own intentions?

A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Scenes

From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their darkest hours, families turn to him to restore order.

Can an Iconic Institution Survive an "Perfect Storm"?

Beset by debates over its collection, strained finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in a major crisis. The challenge remains: Can it restore its reputation?

More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Agony of Severe Condition

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an consistent medical end – until possibly now.

The Legacy of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Today, his ideas shape the highest levels of the state.

The English Professional With a Fraudulent Side

With his keen mind and sterling credentials, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals entrusted him with their assets. Until they began to get uneasy.

The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Hub

An astonishingly rich country has risen as a major player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are behind this ambitious project?

A Close-Up Look at a President Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Extremely disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he projects himself as the statesman uniquely positioned to deal with a particular sitting US president. 7 years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Case

What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?

An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Mourning

When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.

The Unethical 1960s Experiment on Indian Women

When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the precise truth of the procedures is still partially shrouded.

The "Master" of the Online Economy

He's spent 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply incredibly clever clickbait – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Country Endangered by the Rising Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The pressing issue is: Where are they going to relocate?

A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Homelessness

When I encountered Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation might turn around. That hope was sadly wrong.

The Global AI Race and a Key Move

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the secret to who prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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