While we consider the year gone by, a assortment of remarkable long-form stories stands out. These accounts delve into complex topics ranging from political intrigue and scientific discoveries to deeply personal sagas.
A Puzzling Author and the Moral Fabric of a Country
Victor Pelevin rose to fame in the 1990s with scathing commentaries on power. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced suppression or left the country, he still move millions of books. It prompts a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an defender for the regime?
Survival and Complicity in Syria's Horrific Civil War
The story of Mustafa, who at eighteen was given an ultimatum that his sole route to escape incarceration was to join the government military. After 14 long years, his history as one of the Syrian leader's soldiers may still cost him his life.
A Fierce Argument Over Our Earliest Origins
The finding of fossilised remains in the Chadian sands in 2001 was proclaimed as fundamentally changing the narrative of our species. But, not everyone was in agreement. The subsequent bitter controversy has consumed the careers of researchers ever since.
The British Sect That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her household joined the a religious community. As an adult, she played a key role in uncover the shocking extent of exploitation it had carried out.
The Statesman's Puzzling Stance on Human Rights
A great many voters expected that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously ambiguous.
Shattering a Country's Identity
A film tracking a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras asks thorny questions: Is she genuinely a new person, and is the director's true motives?
A Person Who Cleans Britain's Most Difficult Scenes
From crime scenes to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest times, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Iconic Institution Weather an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Plagued by debates over its collection, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, the UK's leading museum is in serious difficulty. The question remains: Can it salvage its reputation?
Beyond "Morning Sickness": The Torture of Extreme Pregnancy
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once labeled 'pernicious vomiting' by the 19th century, this illness has long lacked an consistent treatment end – until potentially now.
The Ghost of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A violent extremist and pioneer of bigotry, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. In the present day, his ideology influence the very highest echelons of government.
The British Gentleman With a Crooked Secret
With his sharp mind and sterling reputation, it's understandable that affluent clients entrusted him with their wealth. Until they began to become wary.
The Tiny Nation That Emerged as the World's Mediation Hub
An astonishingly rich country has become a key player on the international scene, striving to broker peace in some of the most intractable disputes. Which factors are fueling this unprecedented endeavor?
An Inside Look at a Leader Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at domestically, President Macron relishes the world stage, where he positions himself as the leader uniquely positioned to handle a particular sitting American leader. 7 years after their last encounter, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the fray.
Inside the Court Case of a Heartbreaking Story
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her partner, facing charges with the death of their newborn baby?
The End of a Major Development Organization: Far From Universal Regret
When efforts were made to dismantle a prominent development organization, many around the globe were taken aback. But on the ground in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unforeseen.
A Disturbing 1960s Study on Indian Mothers
When details about a scientific experiment in the sixties were revealed, there was immense anxiety. But the precise nature of the events is still somewhat contested.
The "Mozart" of the Attention Age
He's endured a full day in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and distributed vast sums of money to lucky participants. But are these productions simply incredibly clever entertainment – or acts of daring genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With the ocean increasing, much of this Pacific island nation's people is facing the reality that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical question is: Where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Story of Youth Homelessness
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then believed his life might change for the better. That hope was devastatingly misplaced.
The Global AI Race and a Pivotal Move
In 2020, after spending decades in the United States, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he might possess the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The finest narratives
