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Upon reflect on the previous year, a curated list of remarkable long-form stories emerges. Such narratives probe intricate themes from political machinations and scientific revelations to profoundly human stories.

The Enigmatic Novelist and the Soul of a Nation

A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the nineties with biting satires on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the country, he still move millions of books. It poses a key query: Has the author evolved into an apologist for the establishment?

Survival and Collaboration in the Syrian Devastating Civil War

The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was told that his sole way out of incarceration was to join the government forces. After 14 years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers might now cost him his life.

The Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins

The discovery of ancient bones in the Chadian sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as radically changing the narrative of our human race. Yet, a faction was in agreement. The ensuing heated controversy has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.

A UK Cult That Operated in the Open

Philippa Barnes was just a child when her family joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in reveal the disturbing breadth of mistreatment it had carried out.

A Statesman's Curious Stance on Human Rights

Many voters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the Britain's commitment to international law. But, the performance over the past year has been strikingly mixed.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A documentary tracking a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt individuals with hidden cameras raises thorny queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own methods?

A Person Who Decontaminates the UK's Most Difficult Stains

From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their most challenging moments, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.

Can an Renowned Institution Survive an "Omni-Crisis"?

Burdened by restitution claims, precarious funding and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries lacked an reliable medical end – until perhaps now.

A Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government

A militant extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized outcast 35 years ago. Now, his ideas influence the highest echelons of the state.

An British Gentleman With a Fraudulent Side

With his sharp intellect and flawless reputation, it's little wonder that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they started to become uneasy.

A Small Nation That Emerged as the Global Diplomatic Center

An astonishingly wealthy Gulf state has risen as a key actor on the international scene, attempting to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented project?

A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for International Battle

Extremely unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he presents himself as the statesman best placed to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he readied himself for battle.

Inside the Trial of a Tragic Story

How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their newborn baby?

An Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Far From Widespread Regret

When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the world were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this latest betrayal was not unforeseen.

The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Mothers

When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties became public, there was widespread outrage. But the full nature of what happened remains partially contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in a vat of goo, 48 hours underground – and distributed huge amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these stunts simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde brilliance?

Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Seas

With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is grappling with the possibility that their islands may in the near future become uninhabitable. The urgent question is: Where are they supposed to relocate?

A Tragic Case of Childhood Homelessness

When I encountered a young boy he was thirteen and homeless. I still thought his situation could change for the better. I was sadly misplaced.

A Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to his home country. Now, he may possess the answers to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.

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