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While we look back on the previous year, a curated list of exceptional in-depth articles emerges. Such accounts delve into multifaceted themes from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly human sagas.

The Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Nation

Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with sharp critiques on power. Although several of his literary peers have faced suppression or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he turned into an defender for the establishment?

Endurance and Complicity in Syria's Brutal Conflict

The story of a young man, who at eighteen was told that his only path to escape incarceration was to join the government military. Following 14 long years, his former role as one of Assad's fighters might now put him in mortal danger.

The Acrimonious Feud Over Our Earliest Origins

The finding of fossilised remains in the Djurab desert in 2001 was proclaimed as completely re-writing the history of our species. However, a faction was in agreement. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the careers of researchers ever since.

A British Religious Group That Operated in Plain Sight

One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she played a key role in expose the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.

A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on Human Rights

Many supporters expected that the prime minister would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the first year in office has been strikingly inconsistent.

Shattering a Country's Self-Image

A documentary following a remorseful con artist as she records unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras poses thorny questions: Is this person genuinely changed, and is the director's own motives?

The Man Who Decontaminates the UK's Darkest Scenes

From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to bring back peace.

Will an Iconic Institution Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?

Plagued by restitution claims, difficult finances and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its reputation?

Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy

Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable medical end – up until possibly now.

A Spectre of Radicalism in Modern Government

A violent extremist and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a political pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas shape the highest echelons of the state.

The British Professional With a Crooked Secret

With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that affluent clients trusted him with their wealth. Until they began to get wary.

A Tiny State That Emerged as the Global Mediation Capital

An incredibly rich country has risen as a significant force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most long-standing disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious project?

An Inside View at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry

Deeply unpopular at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he presents himself as the leader most equipped to handle a certain sitting US president. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he prepared for the summit.

Inside the Court Case of a Tragic Story

What led to 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?

An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning

When efforts were made to wind down a major US aid agency, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent disappointment was far from unexpected.

The Unethical Mid-Century Study on Indian Mothers

When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was widespread outrage. But the exact story of the events remains somewhat contested.

A "Master" of the Attention Age

He's spent a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and given away huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these stunts simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of artistic brilliance?

Existence in a Country Threatened by the Encroaching Ocean

With sea levels increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent issue is: To where are they supposed to go?

A Sorrowful Story of Youth Homelessness

As I met a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.

The International Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Defection

In the recent past, after living half his life in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he may possess the answers to who wins the global technological rivalry.

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