While we reflect on the previous year, a selection of remarkable long-form stories shines. These narratives probe intricate topics from political machinations and historical discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Enigmatic Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
An author gained prominence in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While many of his literary peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he continues to sell vast numbers of copies. This prompts a pressing question: Has the author evolved into an defender for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Devastating Conflict
The account of a young man, who at 18 was told that his sole path to escape incarceration was to enlist in the regime forces. After fourteen years, his history as one of Assad's fighters may now cost him his life.
The Fierce Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Beginnings
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab sands in the early 2000s was hailed as fundamentally rewriting the story of our species. But, some scholars was persuaded. The ensuing intense controversy has taken over the careers of scholars ever since.
A UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
One woman was only a young girl when her household became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in uncover the disturbing extent of abuse it had carried out.
A Leader's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's dedication to human rights. But, the track record over the past year has been strikingly ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a repentant con artist as she records corrupt clients with hidden cameras poses difficult queries: Is she genuinely a new person, and what are the director's own intentions?
The Person Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest moments, families turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by colonial controversy, strained finances and the revelation of an insider theft, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Is it possible to repair its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Agony of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries been without an reliable treatment solution – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast thirty-five years ago. Today, his ideology influence the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Dishonest Side
With his keen intellect and flawless reputation, it's no surprise that high-net-worth individuals trusted him with their wealth. Then they started to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Became the Global Mediation Center
An astonishingly wealthy country has risen as a key player on the world stage, striving to mediate some of the most intractable conflicts. Which factors are driving this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Deeply unpopular at home, the French leader thrives on the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader most equipped to deal with a particular former American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an aristocrat find herself at the a major court with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Far From Widespread Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US development organization, many around the globe were surprised. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this most recent betrayal was not unforeseen.
The Shocking 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a medical experiment in the 1960s became public, there was widespread outrage. But the exact truth of the events remains somewhat contested.
A "Master" of the Online Economy
He's endured 24 hours in a vat of goo, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very savvy clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Threatened by the Encroaching Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the reality that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The urgent question is: To where are they going to relocate?
One Heartbreaking Case of Childhood Destitution
As I met Craig he was 13 and without a home. I still hoped his situation could turn around. I was sadly mistaken.
The Global AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the US, Song-Chun Zhu took a one-way ticket to his home country. Today, he might possess the key to which nation wins the global AI race.
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