While we reflect on the past year, a assortment of outstanding long-form stories emerges. These accounts explore intricate themes including political intrigue and scientific discoveries to profoundly human sagas.
A Puzzling Novelist and the Conscience of a Nation
A certain Russian novelist became known in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on autocratic rule. Whereas numerous of his writer peers have encountered censorship or fled the country, he still sell millions of books. This raises a pressing query: Has he turned into an apologist for the regime?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Brutal Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole path out of incarceration was to join the regime military. After 14 years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now get him killed.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Chadian desert in the early 2000s was heralded as fundamentally re-writing the narrative of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The resulting bitter controversy has consumed the lives of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The British Religious Group That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a child when her family became part of the Jesus Fellowship. As an adult, she helped reveal the disturbing extent of exploitation it had perpetrated.
A Prime Minister's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the UK's commitment to human rights. But, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Breaking a Country's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she ensnares unscrupulous clients with covert recording poses thorny queries: Is this person really reformed, and is the director's own motives?
The Man Who Remediates the UK's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has witnessed – and dealt with – everything. In their stickiest times, people turn to him to bring back normalcy.
Will an Iconic Museum Endure an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by debates over its collection, difficult funding and the discovery of an internal thief, Britain's premier museum is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Severe Condition
Known as a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this condition has for centuries lacked an effective medical end – up until possibly now.
The Legacy of Radicalism in Modern Government
A violent fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political pariah thirty-five years ago. Now, his ideas influence the uppermost echelons of government.
An English Gentleman With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant intellect and impeccable credentials, it's understandable that affluent individuals trusted him with their fortunes. Until they began to get uneasy.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An incredibly rich country has become a major force on the international scene, striving to mediate some of the most complex disputes. Which factors are driving this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a President Preparing for Global Summitry
Extremely unpopular at domestically, President Macron enjoys the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle a particular former US president. 7 years after their previous meeting, a journalist joined him as he readied himself for the fray.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Story
What led to the child of an wealthy family end up at the a major court with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
The Dismantling of a Global Development Agency: Not Universal Regret
When actions were made to wind down a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent betrayal was far from unexpected.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When details about a scientific study in the 1960s were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the full truth of what happened remains partially unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Age
He's spent 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of money to selected contestants. But are these productions simply very clever clickbait – or works of daring brilliance?
Life in a Nation Threatened by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is confronting the prospect that their islands may in the near future be submerged. The critical issue is: Where are they supposed to relocate?
A Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
When I met Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his situation might improve. I was tragically wrong.
The Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after living decades in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Now, he may hold the key to which nation prevails in the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful narratives
