Upon consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories shines. Such accounts probe multifaceted subjects ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to profoundly personal stories.
A Enigmatic Author and the Soul of a Country
A certain Russian novelist gained prominence in the nineties with sharp commentaries on power. While several of his literary peers have faced censorship or fled the nation, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. It raises a pertinent question: Has he turned into an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the regime military. Following fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters might still get him killed.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was proclaimed as completely changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was persuaded. The resulting heated argument has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
A British Cult That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped reveal the disturbing scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would reaffirm the the nation's dedication to human rights. But, the record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film tracking a repentant fraudster as she sets up corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she genuinely reformed, and is the director's own methods?
The Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From crime scenes to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has witnessed – and restored – everything. In their most challenging moments, individuals depend on him to restore peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Omni-Crisis"?
Plagued by colonial controversy, strained funding and the discovery of an internal thief, the UK's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": The Suffering of Extreme Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has long been without an effective treatment end – until possibly now.
The Legacy of Extremism in Contemporary Politics
A violent extremist and pioneer of hate, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideology permeate the very highest echelons of government.
The British Professional With a Crooked Side
With his sharp mind and impeccable background, it's no surprise that high-net-worth clients trusted him with their wealth. Then they began to get wary.
A Small State That Became the World's Diplomatic Center
An incredibly wealthy country has transformed into a major player on the world stage, attempting to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this ambitious role?
An Inside View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Deeply unpopular at domestically, the French leader relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to deal with 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 Tragic Story
How did the child of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with the death of their newborn baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Development Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a major US development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest disappointment was not unforeseen.
The Unethical Mid-Century Experiment on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense outrage. But the precise truth of the events remains partially shrouded.
A "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and showered enormous sums of cash to selected contestants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean rising, much of this Pacific island nation's people is grappling with the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: To where are they supposed to relocate?
One Tragic Story of Childhood Homelessness
As I met Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Competition and a Key Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might hold the answers to who prevails in the worldwide AI race.
The most impactful stories
