While we reflect on the past year, a selection of exceptional long-form stories shines. These accounts probe multifaceted topics ranging from geopolitical intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal stories.
The Enigmatic Novelist and the Moral Fabric of a Nation
An author became known in the post-Soviet era with sharp commentaries on autocratic rule. While numerous of his literary contemporaries have faced censorship or fled the nation, he still sell millions of books. It poses a pertinent question: Has he evolved into an apologist for the establishment?
Endurance and Complicity in the Syrian Horrific Conflict
The story of a young man, who at 18 was told that his only route to escape incarceration was to join the regime forces. After 14 long years, his past as one of the Syrian leader's fighters may now put him in mortal danger.
The Bitter Feud Over Our Earliest Beginnings
The finding of fossilised bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was heralded as completely changing the history of our human race. However, not everyone was convinced. The ensuing bitter scholarly debate has taken over the careers of paleoanthropologists ever since.
The UK Cult That Operated in the Open
One woman was only a child when her family became part of the a religious community. As an grown woman, she helped expose the appalling scale of abuse it had perpetrated.
The Prime Minister's Puzzling Stance on International Law
Many followers hoped that the prime minister would renew the the nation's dedication to human rights. However, the performance over the past year has been notably ambiguous.
Shattering a Nation's Self-Image
A documentary tracking a repentant con artist as she records unscrupulous individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she genuinely changed, and what are the filmmaker's true intentions?
A Man Who Decontaminates Britain's Most Traumatic Stains
From homicide sites to biological waste, an extreme cleaner has encountered – and cleaned – it all. In their stickiest moments, people rely on him to bring back order.
Will an Famous Institution Survive an "Multifaceted Crisis"?
Beset by restitution claims, precarious finances and the exposure of an insider theft, Britain's number one museum is in a major crisis. The question remains: Can it repair its standing?
Beyond "Pregnancy Nausea": The Suffering of Severe Condition
Referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum and once termed 'dangerous sickness' by the 19th century, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
A Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Government
A militant fanatic and early advocate of hate, Meir Kahane died a political outcast 35 years ago. Today, his teachings permeate the highest levels of the state.
An British Professional With a Fraudulent Secret
With his sharp intellect and sterling background, it's little wonder that wealthy individuals entrusted him with their assets. Then they started to get uneasy.
The Tiny State That Became the World's Diplomatic Capital
An astonishingly rich Gulf state has become a significant force on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most complex disputes. What are driving this unprecedented role?
A Inside View at a President Preparing for Global Battle
Deeply disliked at home, President Macron thrives on the world arena, where he positions himself as the leader best placed to handle a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a journalist accompanied him as he prepared for the summit.
During the Trial of a Tragic Case
What led to the child of an wealthy family find herself at the a major court with her companion, facing charges with the death of their newborn infant?
An Dismantling of a Global Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When actions were made to drastically cut a prominent aid agency, many around the world were taken aback. But on the front lines in a West African nation, this latest letdown was far from unexpected.
The Disturbing 1960s Study on South Asian Women
When information about a scientific experiment in the 1960s came to light, there was widespread anxiety. But the precise truth of what happened is still partially shrouded.
The "Genius" of the Online Age
He's endured 24 hours in slime, 48 hours buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these videos simply incredibly savvy entertainment – or acts of artistic brilliance?
Existence in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Ocean
With the ocean increasing, much of Tuvalu's residents is facing the prospect that their homeland may soon cease to exist. The critical issue is: To where are they supposed to go?
One Heartbreaking Case of Youth Destitution
As I encountered Craig he was 13 and homeless. Even then hoped his life could improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
A Global Artificial Intelligence Race and a Key Move
In 2020, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a permanent move to China. Now, he could hold the secret to which nation wins the global technological rivalry.
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