As we consider the year gone by, a assortment of exceptional long-form stories shines. These narratives delve into complex topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and scientific revelations to deeply human journeys.
A Mysterious Novelist and the Soul of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist rose to fame in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on power. Although numerous of his writer contemporaries have encountered censorship or fled the nation, he still sell vast numbers of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he become an supporter for the establishment?
Survival and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The tale of Mustafa, who at eighteen was told that his only way out of prison was to enlist in the regime forces. Following fourteen years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may still put him in mortal danger.
A Acrimonious Feud Over Humanity's Earliest Origins
The unearthing of fossilised bones in the Djurab sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the history of our human race. But, some scholars was persuaded. The subsequent bitter argument has consumed the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
A UK Cult That Hid in the Open
Philippa Barnes was just a young girl when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the shocking scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
A Leader's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Numerous supporters expected that the prime minister would reaffirm the UK's commitment to human rights. However, the record over the first year in office has been strikingly mixed.
Breaking a Nation's Identity
A film featuring a remorseful con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with hidden cameras asks difficult queries: Is this person really reformed, and what are the director's true motives?
A Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Traumatic Scenes
From crime scenes to biological waste, Ben Giles has witnessed – and cleaned – everything. In their stickiest times, families turn to him to bring back peace.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Burdened by colonial controversy, strained funding and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in serious difficulty. The challenge remains: Can it salvage its legacy?
More Than "Pregnancy Nausea": The Torture of Extreme Condition
Called hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'dangerous sickness' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable medical solution – up until perhaps now.
The Ghost of Extremism in Modern Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Now, his ideas permeate the uppermost levels of the state.
The English Professional With a Crooked Side
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their fortunes. Then they began to get uneasy.
A Tiny State That Became the Global Diplomatic Hub
An astonishingly rich country has transformed into a major actor on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most complex conflicts. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented role?
A Inside Look at a Leader Gearing Up for Global Summitry
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the international arena, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular former US president. Seven years after their previous encounter, a writer accompanied him as he readied himself for the summit.
Inside the Trial of a Heartbreaking Case
How did the daughter of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, charged with the death of their two-week-old infant?
An End of a Global Development Agency: Far From Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a major US aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in Sierra Leone, this most recent disappointment was not unexpected.
A Unethical Mid-Century Study on South Asian Women
When details about a medical study in the sixties came to light, there was widespread shock. But the full story of the events remains partially contested.
The "Genius" of the Attention Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered huge sums of money to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius?
Existence in a Country Endangered by the Encroaching Ocean
With sea levels rising, much of Tuvalu's population is grappling with the prospect that their home may in the near future cease to exist. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
One Sorrowful Story of Youth Destitution
When I encountered a young boy he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life might change for the better. That hope was tragically misplaced.
The International AI Race and a Crucial Defection
In the recent past, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Today, he might hold the answers to who wins the global AI race.
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